News

Asylum crisis: more budget for more returns

20 May 2016
More budget for more returns

The Belgian government has approved a budget of 30 million euros to substantially boost return services of the Immigration Service (DVZ). The same resources are also used to boost the decision-making capacity of the asylum authorities. “This allows us to shorten the asylum procedure and decrease …

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New bank tax: fairer tax system

13 May 2016

Proposed by Minister of Finance Johan Van Overtveldt (N-VA), the government has approved a new bank tax. It is part of the tax shift and will bring in 805 million euros a year. “That is 55 million euros more than previous income from the various contributions from the financial sector,” the …

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Obligatory origin labelling is unnecessary

12 May 2016
Obligatory origin labelling is unnecessary

The European Parliament has approved a resolution concerning obligatory origin labelling. The N-VA delegation voted against it. “Apparently, the majority of European Parliament members believe that an obligatory statement regarding the origin of milk in a carton of yoghurt or meat used in lasagne …

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Flanders is also banning plastic bags

11 May 2016
Flanders is also banning plastic bags

After France and Italy’s earlier decision to ban plastic bags, Flanders is now also set to say goodbye to traditional plastic bags. At the same time, the authorised minister promised to investigate the option of bio-based plastics. Such plastic is made from starch and is biodegradable. Our Flemish …

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More power for Europol in the fight against terror

11 May 2016
More power for Europol in the fight against terror

The European Parliament is giving Europol more power in the fight against terror. The European police service acquires more options for tracing criminal activities, especially online. For example, Europol will carry out more internet checks and will be able to ask internet companies to remove …

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Defence invests in cyber division

11 May 2016
Defence invests in cyber division

Minister of Defence Steven Vandeput is to heavily invest in the so-called cyber division of the army. It must protect our critical infrastructure, military as well as civil, from outside attacks. “Moreover, in the future, we must in addition be able to fend off a cyber-attack by ourselves in the …

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