The Council of Ministers approved this Friday, on the proposal of Federal Minister of Energy Mathieu Bihet, a draft royal decree establishing a national emergency plan to guarantee the security of supply of crude oil and petroleum products.
This plan aims to better prepare Belgium for potential major disruptions to the international energy market, whether linked to geopolitical tensions, international crises or supply breakdowns.
In concrete terms, this mechanism will ensure a rapid, coordinated and effective response from the federal authorities to protect the country's supply and preserve the continuity of activities essential to citizens and the economy.
"Recent geopolitical crises have shown how important it is to anticipate and prepare our country for every scenario. With this emergency plan, we are strengthening Belgium's energy resilience and our ability to protect households, businesses and essential services in the event of disruptions," says Federal Minister of Energy Mathieu Bihet.
The project is part of European obligations requiring member states to have sufficient crisis management mechanisms and strategic stocks in place.
The text notably provides for a clear organisation of crisis management, enhanced coordination between the various competent authorities, and the necessary measures to guarantee the continuity of the country's energy supply.
The draft royal decree has now been submitted to the Council of State for its opinion.
"Our responsibility is to ensure that Belgium remains ready, resilient and able to protect its citizens under all circumstances. Energy security is not an option, it is an essential mission of the State," concludes Mathieu Bihet.