News

Catalans decide on independence on 1 October

9 June 2017
Catalans decide on independence on 1 October

“Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?” That is the question that is being presented to the citizens of Catalonia on 1 October of this year. With this, President Carles Puigdemont is fulfilling his promise to organise an independence referendum. The N-VA …

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Europe obliges Member States to prohibit new drugs more quickly

9 June 2017
Europe obliges Member States to prohibit new drugs more quickly

Europe wants all Member States to prohibit new drugs more quickly. To this end, the competent committee has approved a package of measures at the European Parliament. “Europe now clearly identifies psychoactive substances as drugs and is asking Member States to adjust their criminal law. This is …

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OECD agreement intensifies fight against tax evasion

7 June 2017
OECD agreement intensifies fight against tax evasion

Minister of Finance Johan Van Overtveldt has co-signed a multilateral OECD agreement in Paris that will adjust hundreds of tax treaties. “With this agreement, we are taking a vital step towards more tax transparency, a level playing field and more legal certainty,” the Minister explains. “It will …

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Brexit also prompts insurer QBE to choose Brussels

7 June 2017
Brussel

Following in the footsteps of Lloyds of London, QBE, an insurance group originally based in Australia, has announced the establishment of a European subsidiary in Brussels. Here too, Brexit is the specific impetus for this move. The rationale behind QBE’s selection of Brussels includes, among …

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A locally integrated security unit for each municipality

6 June 2017
Jan Jambon

Minister of Security and the Interior Jan Jambon is advocating increased efforts to set up local integrated security units (LIVC) in the fight against terror. Within the units, security services at the municipality level partner with education and youth assistance services, for example. “The …

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Cautious initiative against social abuse in transport sector

1 June 2017
Cautious initiative against social abuse in transport sector

The European Commission wants to oblige Member States to check more frequently and more stringently for social abuse in the transport sector. “The importance for Flanders of the proposed measures is immense,” says MEP Mark Demesmaeker. The Flemish transport sector accounts for 5.3% of employment …

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