Brussels, 22/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The abdication of the King of the Belgians, Albert II, followed by the coronation of his son, Philippe I, to coincide with the Belgian National Day on 21 July, was followed by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso. Describing the ceremony as moving, he highlighted, via his Twitter account, the “European spirit and destiny of Belgium”.
The President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium, Herman Van Rompuy, was not present in Brussels for the event and did not comment. The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, on the other hand, paid tribute to the 20-year reign of Albert II, “this friend of Europe”, and wished King Philippe I a “peaceful reign” for a “united and stable Belgium”. Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen also commented on the occasion in similar terms, stressing what an “accomplished European” Albert II was and highlighting his “devotion to the transatlantic partnership over the last 20 years”, expressing his hopes of being able to work equally closely with King Philippe. (MD/transl.fl)