EU-DIGEST

Terrorists target Heads of State EU meeting in Bruxelles Today - Al Qaeda terrorists arrested- by Martin Barillas

Belgian police arrested 14 presumed Al Qaeda terrorists this morning December 11, one of whom may have been ready to carry out a terrorist attack. This comes just hours before the summit meeting of European heads of state and of the European Union slated for the afternoon. Three of the men arrested arrived not long before from Afghanistan. One of these had given his final farewells to his family, something that led the police to believe that he planned a suicide mission perhaps at the summit. All of those arrested are thought to have connections to local Al Qaeda cells. Belgian prosecutor Johan Delmulle said to the media that the terrorist operation was related to the European Summit in Brussels, moving some 242 police officers to descend on the presumed Al Qaeda members in 16 distinct raids in Brussels and Liege. Said Delmulle “We do not know where the attack was to be committed, and it could be an operation to be carried out in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but neither Belgium or Europe can be dismissed as the target.”

Spokesmen for France ruled out any cancellation of the afternoon summit, while European Union sources were not aware of any additional security needed for the summit.

Labels: al Qaeda, Belgium, EU SUMMIT, terrorists

Belgium completes approval of EU Lisbon treaty

Belgium on Thursday completed its approval of the European Union's Lisbon reform treaty as the parliament of the country's Flemish region cleared the document, rejected by Irish voters last month. The Belgian assembly's vote brings the number of countries that have completed the parliamentary process on the treaty to 22, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said in a statement. "This is a strong signal of how important it is that all member states are heard during the ratification process," Barroso said.

Labels: Belgium, EU, Lisbon Treaty

Flemish Government Will Not Attend CDhina Olympic Opening Ceremony

No Flemish government member will attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing", Bert Anciaux, the Flemish Minister of Sport, stated at a session of the Commission on Foreign Policy in the Flemish Parliament in Brussels dedicated to the Olympics and the human rights situation in China. The Minister, who had some personal experience with the Chinese regime last year when he was invited to China and saw his visa revoked after he announced he would speak about the situation in Tibet, said he tries to find a balance between his commitment towards sports and respect for human rights.

"The problem is not that the Olympic Games will take place in China, but that the Chinese regime is using the Olympics as a propaganda event at the expense of the fundamental rights of the Chinese people." —Nicolas Schols, representative of the Belgian Falun Dafa Association

Labels: Belgium, China, EU, Olympics

Wienerberger to invest EUR 55 million in Flanders

The German global leader in building brick-making, Wienerberger, turned over EUR 300 million last year in Belgium, 12 pct of the group’s global turnover. It is now further expanding its production facility in the Flemish town of Rumst. With a staff of 1,500 spread over 18 production sites, Wienerberger already has a strong presence in Belgium. And the company continues to invest in Flanders. It is now plowing EUR 40 million in the refurbishing and expansion of its building brick production facility in the town of Rumst. An additional 15 million will be spent on environmental investments.

Worldwide, Wienerberger realized a net profit of EUR 296 million in 2007. It’s global turnover increased by 11 per cent to EUR 2.48 billion.

Labels: Belgium, Economy, EU, Flanders, Wienerberger

Belgium breaks government deadlock - EurActiv.com | EU - European Information on Elections

After nine months of crisis and uncertainty, the five parties now part of the future coalition have reached an agreement on a joint political programme. The new government is expected to be sworn in on Thursday (20 March).The deal, reached in the early hours of 18 March, opens the door for the winner of the 10 June 2007 elections, Flemish Christian Democrat (CD&V) Yves Leterme, to become Prime Minister at last. For the past three months, the post had continued to be held by the incumbent Guy Verhofstadt – despite the significant losses suffered by his Flemish Liberal party in the elections – following Leterme’s two successive failures at forming a government coalition.

Labels: Belgium, EU

Belgium - Conference pear price breaks record

The prices for Conference pears have broken a record. At the Belgian fruit auction BFV, pears have been sold for € 1,00 per kg for the first time. "We have sold 30% more pears and the prices remain high. Because of the shortage on the market we export to almost all European markets," CEO Filip Lowette of the Belgian fruit auction BFV said. Veiling Haspengouw normally sells more apples than pears, but now it is the other way around for the second time in the company's history. The Belgian auctions have less pears in stock, but they still traders not to stop supplying their customers. "We have to keep supplying the markets we have conquered," CEO Renaat Kuiper of Veiling Haspengouw said.

Labels: Belgium, EU, Fruit

Belgium’s Identity Crisis--A Sign of Things to Come for the European Union? - by Ryan P. Denee

A drive through the countryside of Belgium is a unique and relaxing experience not soon forgotten. The scenic tree-lined roads, with trunks sometimes inches from the pavement, are an expression of order and natural beauty. The branches springing from opposing sides of the road intertwine to form a comforting tunnel of lush foliage. Yet this seemingly idyllic, peaceful country has just experienced an unprecedented political crisis.From the national elections in June 2007 through late December, the country was without a government. For more than six months, disagreeing politicians and parties were unable to form a coalition to lead Belgium.

Belgium was created by Britain in the 1830s. The northern Flemish region (predominantly Dutch-speaking) was combined with the southern Walloon region (largely French-speaking). Arguably, this was beneficial to the region at large, but not without consequences for the people living within its borders. In the 19th century, the Walloon region had many natural resources. As a result, the Walloons were the wealthy people of the land. In effect, they dominated the country at the time, with many looking down on the Flemish with an air of superiority. In fact, it was not until well over 100 years later that Dutch became an official language.

The very country that also holds the capital of the European Union is struggling to combine differing peoples, cultures and languages. Could this be a sign of things to come for the EU? To have 27 nations agree on even simple things—butter, cheese and chocolate—enormous bureaucracies have been created. But these are only the “unimportant” issues of diplomacy. Bureaucratic layers of committees are used to define and control everything that occurs in the EU. However, these large and growing institutions of the EU cannot appease every faction; compromise has found its limits time after time.

The story of Belgium underscores the reality that the EU faces a tough road ahead. The number of differences within these 27 countries will create tremendous political crises. When these crises come to a head, Europe will be at a crossroads. They will need a solution—something to unite them.

Labels: Belgium, EU, Unity

Belgium ?Netherlands: Right-wing groups launch anti-Islamisation campaign - by Vanessa Mock

Far-right groups are calling for a ban on the building of new mosques as part of a new campaign to stop the spread of radical Islam in Europe. Belgium's far-right Vlaams Belang party teamed up with radical groups from Austria and Germany on Thursday to launch a Charter to 'fight the Islamisation of West-European cities'."We are not opposed to freedom of religion but we don't want Muslims to impose their way of life and traditions over here because much of it is not compatible with our way of life," Vlaams Belang's Filip Dewinter told Radio Netherlands Worldwide. "We can't accept head scarves in our schools, forced marriages and the ritual slaughter of animals." Aside from Austria's Freedom Party (FPö), there was a notable absence of other political heavyweights during the press conference in the Flemish city of Antwerp. A spokesman for Italy's Allianza Nazionale said he was unaware of the Charter, though his party too was looking at the issue of the new mosques. Dutch right-wing maverick politician Geert Wilders, who is currently producing a film about the danger of the Koran, also stayed away. But Mr Dewinter seems unruffled by the paltry political support: "This movement may be small today but I am convinced it will grow into something major." News of the Charter was greeted with dismay in Antwerp's Borgerhout, a multi-cultural neighbourhood counting over 90 nationalities. "It's pure provocation," shrugged Said El Fetri, a Moroccan shopkeeper. "I have Belgians, East Europeans, Jews and Muslims coming in and out of my shop, there are no problems with integration here." Standing next to his counter of Halal meat, he added: "I am a Muslim but that doesn't mean that I don't live by the rules of this country." However, another local shopkeeper, Mohammed, was gloomier: "I've lived here for almost 40 years. Me and my children are perfectly integrated but these kinds of campaigns worry me. In ten years' time, it won't be possible for us to live side by side like this anymore."

Note EU-Digest: Even though these kinds of provocative expressions and declarations by populist right wing groups, represented by Wilders, Dewinter and other like minded politicians are deplorable, they are acceptable within Europe's laws related to the freedom of expression. A possible way to combat these right wing movements is initially to call for massive peaceful demonstrations, in every major city of Europe. to support integration and multiculturalism . This, in addition to starting a well coordinated long term campaign of dialog on these issues at schools, universities, religious centers, in the press, and on TV and Radio. Best of all, the voters should make sure that these right-wing politicians are kept from winning in elections, by voting against them. Europe, on the other hand, should not allow any Grand Mufti to threaten Europeans about the risks involved if they allow people like Wilders or DeWinter to use or abuse the European Citizen's right of free speech. In that case we must remind these Muftis that in Europe we have a democratic society, where free speech and womens rights are paramount parts of the system and cover every citizen, including European Muslims.

Labels: Belgium, DeWinter, EU, Extreme Right, Free Speech, Geert Wilders, Islam

Belgium's political crisis eased when parties from both sides of the country's language divide yesterday agreed on an interim government, six months after a divisive election. Guy Verhofstadt, outgoing premier, will lead the temporary administration of Christian Democrats, Liberals and Socialists. It will stay in power until March 23 2008 at the latest, with its main task likely to be drafting a budget. Yves Leterme, the Flemish Christian Democrat who triumphed in the election, is expected to become prime minister after the interim government gives up office.

Labels: Belgium, EU

Government talks continue in Belgium; Central Bank chief warns about financial outlook

Would-be premier Yves Leterme soldiered on Sunday trying to form a government amid warnings from the central bank chief that the 168-day political stalemate was jeopardizing the country's financial outlook. In a rare interview in the weekend edition of the Flemish daily De Morgen, Central Bank Gov. Guy Quaden said projected budget surpluses totaling €2.5 billion (US$3.7 billion) in 2007 and 2008 may not be realized due to the deadlock between Dutch- and French-speaking parties in the government talks.

He said last year's budget was in balance and that the bank forecast a surplus of 0.3 percent of gross domestic product for this year, and 0.2 percent for next year.

Labels: Belgium, Economy, EU, Political

Is Belgium going to fail the new European treaty ?

"An embarrassing question is going round behind the scenes in Europe ... : will Belgium be capable of signing the new European Treaty in the coming weeks?" explain Carine Doutrelepont and Pascal Lefevre, European law experts. "The heads of state or government leaders of the 27 EU Member States have indeed agreed to sign the new European Treaty in Lisbon on December 13th, 2007. Nothing, however, gives a clear indication of whether our resigned government is in a position to sign, seeing as it has to ... limit its action to 'current affairs'. ... Belgium, founding state of the EU and base of many institutions, would pointlessly loose credit if it blocked the signing of an extremely important act for Europe, simply because it is incapable of setting-up a federal government."

Labels: Belgium, EU Treaty

Labels: Belgium, Elections, EU

Belgian hub to grab a slice of Europe

Unveiling its plans for the newly created hub at Brussels, Jet Airways said on 6 June 2007 it would operate five flights a day from India to the Belgian capital and provide seamless connections for onward journey to the US and Canada. The hub would give the airline access to the entire Europe, besides allowing services to North America.

Labels: Airlines, Belgium, EU

Japanese Shipping giant NYK moves HQ from London to Antwerp

Japanese shipping line NYK is moving its Bulk Transport Headquarters from London to Antwerp. NYK’s European feasibility study showed the best location for this was, for a number of reasons, the Port of Antwerp. For one thing, NYK can enjoy Flanders’ beneficial tonnage tax. In addition, the shipping firm was attracted by a unique treaty between Belgium and Hong Kong which avoids double taxation and the notional interest deduction scheme which allows companies to reduce their taxable base when making investments from their own resources.

Labels: Antwerp, Belgium, EU, Shipping

The Dutch Way or the Highway - by Michael van der Galien

A Belgian auto parts supplier who has forbidden his employees to speak another language than Dutch (Flemish)while at work. If they ignore the rule, they can be fired.

The employees who are most upset with this rule are from Turkish origin: they believe that the new rule is aimed against them and they have asked a union to intervene. Geert Vermote added: “”It’s really nothing other than other rules we have, such as a ban on smoking.”

Labels: Belgium, EU