News

Flemish budget remains balanced

31 March 2017

The Flemish Government has completed the budgetary control for this year with a slight surplus of EUR 145 million. Of that amount EUR 100 million is being set aside as a buffer, just in case of a rainy day, and EUR 45 million is being allocated to extra investments. "Not only are we keeping our …

Largest insurance market in the world comes to Brussels

30 March 2017

Lloyd’s of London, the largest insurance market in the world, is going to set up a new subsidiary in Brussels. “It is the first time that Lloyd’s is setting foot on the European continent,” says Minister of Finance Johan Van Overtveldt. With this move, Lloyd’s is anticipating the potential effects …

Historic total ban on unsedated slaughter

29 March 2017

Interdiction historique de l’abattage sans étourdissement

A total ban on slaughter without anaesthetic is on its way in Flanders. The N-VA, together with the other Flemish majority parties, is taking this historic step following a round of independent mediation commissioned by Flemish Minister for Animal Welfare, Ben Weyts. “I am proud of our community: …

Europe must actively support the Basque peace process

29 March 2017

MEP Mark Demesmaeker is asking the European Union to play an active role in the Basque peace process, now that the Basque independence movement ETA is prepared to disarm completely by 8 April. “This is a potentially decisive step in the Basque peace process. It’s no long okay for Europe to just …

Free Interrail pass makes way for new exchange programme

28 March 2017

The European Commission wants to send at least 5,000 young people on exchanges to a school in a different EU Member State. The proposal, which will cost EUR 2.5 million, is aimed at schoolchildren aged 16 and over. It replaces the idea of giving all European 18-year-olds a free Interrail pass, …

Humanitarian visa obligation for asylum seekers not enforceable

27 March 2017

State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Theo Francken is not obliged to grant a humanitarian visa to a Syrian family that wished to travel to Belgium in order to request asylum here, after all. A Belgian judge had ordered Theo Francken to do so. However, the Council for Alien Law Litigation (RvV) …

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