Belgian Dinner 2024

Belgian Dinner 2024: Celebrating Diplomatic and Economic Ties in a Night of Elegance

The Belgian Dinner 2024, hosted at the illustrious W Hotel Budapest*****, was a night to remember, celebrating the vibrant Belgian-Hungarian relations, in the context of the trio presidency of the Council of the European Union, notably Hungary taking over the helm from Belgium on the 1st of July 2024, for 6 months. The event saw an impressive turnout from the Belgian-Hungarian business community, emphasizing the strong bilateral ties and mutual respect shared between the two nations.

Welcome words from Ms. Boglárka Illés, state secretary for bilateral relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The state secretary praised BELGABIZ for bringing together business leaders and government representatives from both Belgium and Hungary, creating an environment to further strengthening and deepening the existing relations and exchanges between the two countries, in the spirit of friendship and solidarity.
She remarked that the trio presidency had to and will have to operate in a highly challenging international context. The upcoming Hungarian presidency, starting on the 1st of July, is committed to ensuring a smooth transition to the next legislative cycle and building a close and constructive relationship with the new institutional actors in Belgium. She assured that one of the priorities of the Hungarian presidency is to strengthen the competitiveness of the EU. She outlined the commitment of the Hungarian government to the European Union as a solid foundation for successful cooperation between the member states.

Opening remarks by H. E. Jeroen Vergeylen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Hungary
The Belgian Ambassador started his heartfelt speech by emphasizing the importance of the thriving Belgian business community in Hungary and the strong ties between the two nations. He expressed gratitude for the support of the event’s organizers, board members, and sponsors.
He then reflected on the historical ties between Belgium and Hungary and highlighted with numerous examples the rich tapestry of encounters and exchanges that have shaped their relationship over centuries.
He emphasized that Belgium and Hungary are close partners in the European Union and allies in NATO, taking benefit from the security, stability and prosperity that the EU and NATO have been providing to its citizens and companies over the last decades.
To finish his speech, he expressed his conviction that the Belgian Dinner 2024 will attribute to the excellent bilateral economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries, to which the present guests are all contributing tremendously.

An Evening of Elegance and Connection
As the speeches concluded, guests were treated to a gourmet dinner with a Belgian touch, enjoying fine cuisine and the opportunity to mingle with prominent figures from the Belgian-Hungarian diplomatic and business community.
The evening also featured a tombola with prizes donated by sponsors, adding an element of excitement and anticipation. The success of the Belgian Dinner 2024 was made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including the Embassy of Belgium in Hungary, K&H Group, S.I.C. Hungary, and Welpa Trans, along with Belga Sörmester, Reynaers Aluminium Kft., and Stardex.
In conclusion, the Belgian Dinner 2024 epitomized the spirit of European unity and cooperation. It was more than just a celebration; it was a reaffirmation of the strong ties that bind Belgium and Hungary and a commitment to a shared future within the European Union.