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Meeting of German-speaking heads of state at Laeken Castle
At the invitation of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Alain Berset represents Switzerland at the annual meeting of the heads of state of the six German-speaking countries, at Laeken Castle. Around the table: Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Alexander Van der Bellen, Grand Duke Henri, Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein. The format has existed since 2004; Switzerland hosted it in 2018.
The theme chosen by Belgium: space, in the presence of ESA astronauts. For Berset, space is a matter of Europe’s strategic autonomy; Switzerland, a founding member of ESA, will continue to contribute. In April, the Federal Council adopted its “Space Policy 2023”.
Before the meeting, he is received by Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Belgium will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2024; they discuss the Switzerland–EU exploratory talks, hydrogen, frozen Russian assets, on which Berset argues for an internationally coordinated approach, and the register of damage created in Reykjavik.
Monday 11 September 2023 — Brussels and Laeken
- Meeting with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo
- Welcome by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at Laeken Castle
- Round table of the heads of state on current European space affairs, with ESA astronauts
- Concert by the Young Belgian Strings, dinner of the heads of state
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