Brussels, 11/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - The political crisis currently experienced by Belgium (resignation of Yves Leterme's government and early elections on 13 June) will not have an immediate impact on the preparations for the Belgian EU Presidency to begin on 1 July this year, said Belgian European Affairs Minister Olivier Chastel. Speaking on the sidelines of the General Affairs Council, where he met several of his colleagues on Monday 10 May, he sought to reassure them that there would be “continuity” in preparations for the Belgian EU Presidency. “This continues, even under a government concerned with the everyday running of the country. We shall continue to develop the programme and will have an ambitious programme ready at the end of June”, Chastel said in a press release. He went on to add that “it will be a challenge to hold EU presidency during the second half of the year as this is a pivotal time for the EU's institutional transition, and Belgium will do everything it can to ensure EU institutions operate smoothly after the innovations introduced by the Lisbon Treaty”. “Belgium will take on the responsibility of this presidency, whether with the current government entrusted with general business, or under a new government”, Olivier Chastel concluded. (H.B./transl.jl)