0:00 Welcome to Flanders.

0:02 You may already know about our rich history of arts and culture, our gourmet lifestyle, our iconic festivals, or even our famous competitive spirit.

0:13 Yet we are also a land of diplomats.

0:16 As a Federated state, Flanders plays an essential role in the country’s EU policy and, although we make up just 0.321% of Europe’s surface area, soon learn that we have a far greater influence on EU decision making than our size might suggest.

0:34 Let’s take a closer look to understand how Belgium’s unique structure makes this possible.

0:40 You see, Belgium is a federal state with power divided between the national government and the Federated States.

0:48 As one of them, Flanders, enjoys autonomy in key areas such as the environment, education, culture, employment, agriculture, and fisheries.

0:59 And while Belgium isn’t the world’s only federal state, it is certainly one of the most unique because the Federated States are also responsible for their own foreign policies, what we call the inforo internal Inforo external principle.

1:15 In other words, the people who define the domestic policy also set the foreign policy, and that extends to the EU.

1:24 So how does this unique level of Federated autonomy affect Belgium’s position in the Council of the EU?

1:30 Let me explain.

1:32 Take agriculture, for example.

1:34 The federal government and the Federated States sit around the table to reach a shared Belgian position.

1:40 We did say we’re pretty good at that.

1:42 This happens for every policy area.

1:45 In this way, Flanders helps to shape Belgium’s stance in the Council of the European Union.

1:52 So what about our representation in the Council?

1:55 Well, we have a distinctive approach to that.

1:58 Belgium can be represented by either a federal minister or a minister from the Federated States.

2:04 This means that a Flemish minister can represent a national position in the Council.

2:09 In no other EU member state is this possible.

2:12 We did mention that our country is a bit unique, didn’t we?

2:16 OK, let’s wrap things up.

2:19 Three things to remember about Flanders role in European decision making.

2:23 First, Flanders helps to determine Belgium’s position in consultation with the federal government and the Federated states.

2:31 Second, a Flemish minister can also represent the country in the Council of the EU.

2:37 Third, no other EU country do the Federated States hold so much sway over foreign policy.

2:44 And that’s how the Belgian political system allows Flanders to have a real say in EU policy.

2:50 Working together is in our DNA and working together is what makes the EU work.