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In its pursuit to strengthen its role as international capital, the Brussels’ Government decided to appoint a Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations.

Such an initiative to maintain and further develop the direct relations between the regional government and the numerous international institutions is only logical after nearly sixty years of European and international diplomatic presence in Brussels, and a necessity following six successive reforms of the Belgian state.

From now on, the Brussels-Capital Region will therefore, within the framework of its own competences, formally take part in this Host Nation Policy, until now a prerogative of the Federal State.

In order to develop a so-called Host Region Policy, the Brussels’ Government gave me a mandate to take all necessary measures and thus consolidate the status of Brussels as capital of Europe and international decision-making centre worthy of the name.

Our mission is to welcome all international organisations and ensure their deployment in harmony with the development of the Brussels-Capital Region and the needs of its inhabitants, in policies such as urban development, mobility, quality of public spaces, security and the administrative assistance to the new international citizens of our Region.

This mission will be realised by simplifying processes and thus raising efficiency in a set of complex issues to which Brussels is confronted with as a host region. At the same time we will offer one single point of contact for all international organisations and act as a «go-between» with the Brussels’ authorities.

It is only in this spirit of honest and efficient collaboration between Brussels’ authorities and their guests that we will be able to boost the credibility of all public authorities concerned, and fight the scepticism and criticism of many citizens towards the project of European integration and the important role of so many international organisations who have chosen Brussels as their seat.

Alain Hutchinson
Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations

Our Mission

1

ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT

Advice and recommendations to the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region for any project with a (potential) impact on international organisations.

2

SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT

The Commissioner will act as single point of contact for all European institutions and international organisations.

3

REPRESENTATION

The representation of the Brussels-Capital Region with the Federal authorities that coordinate the Belgian Host Nation Policy.

4

CONSULTATION

The Commissioner will be consulted on any project of the public authorities of the Brussels-Capital Region which would directly involve or could impact the international institutions and their presence in Brussels.

5

WELCOMING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

The Expat Welcome Desk offers administrative assistance to people who settle in the Brussels-Capital Region as part of their activities within and around the European and international organisations.

Decision of the government of the Brussels-Capital Region. Download it :   FR  - NL

Our Team

ALAIN HUTCHINSON

ALAIN HUTCHINSON

Brussels Commissioner

T +32 (0)2 430 66 10
karin

KARIN IMPENS

Deputy to the Commissioner

T +32 (0)2 430 66 11
amelie

AMELIE BOVY

Legal Adviser Welcome Desk

T +32 (0)2 430 66 13
helene

HELENE JACUB

Welcome Desk Assistant

T +32 (0)2 430 66 14
annick

ANNICK DE BLESER

Welcome Desk Assistant
@ European Parliament

T +32 (0)2 284 21 46
laurent

LAURENT GILARDENGHI

Reception Desk Assistant

T +32 (0)2 430 66 00
edoardo

EDOARDO GUGLIELMETTI

Adviser Urban Development

T +32 (0)2 430 66 12


natacha

NATACHA BRIEVEN

Office Manager

T +32 (0)2 430 66 16
@ Your service
T +32 (0)2 430 66 00 - info@commissioner.brussels
Monday > Friday  8:30 AM > 12:00 PM  / 1:00 > 5:30 PM

About EUROPE in Brussels

Brussels is the Capital of Europe and this is obviously linked to the presence of the European institutions. The Region has transformed itself during the last fifty years into a truly international city. In 2013 the international sector generated 121.000 jobs – that is 16,7% of the Brussels employment sector which represented 5 billion euro of Added Value for the Region. With more than 40.000 people working for the EU-institutions, approximately 30.000 lobbyists, around 1.000 accredited journalists and almost 23.000 pupils in dozens of international schools it is not surprising that more than one third of the Brussels’ population has a foreign nationality. The publication Brussels-Europe in figures  gives an overview of the most important figures on the subject.

The European quarter is the emblematic area where the international presence is the most concentrated and visually very strong. The quarter is situated next to the city center and is nowadays subject to major changes in terms of urban, social, cultural and touristic development: the Europe of tomorrow is being built in the heart of Brussels.

The European quarter symbolizes Brussels’ international and diplomatic function. It is home to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission along with many of their executive agencies. Together, they employ roughly 40.000 people daily in the area. Due to their presence the European Quarter is also home to numerous consultative bodies such as the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, as well as embassies and diplomatic missions, representations of international governmental organizations such as the United Nations, permanent representations, regional and local representations, international corporate headquarters and lobbying organizations. Not surprisingly, the European Quarter accounts for roughly 3,5 million m² of offices, roughly ¼ of all offices in the Brussels-Capital Region.

The European institutions are clustered around two major public spaces. The Place du Luxemburg and the adjacent Esplanade Solidarnosc 1980 are home to the European Parliament. Every Thursday hundreds of expats fill the local bars and cafés for the weekly “Afterwork”drinks. The square is also popular with tourists visiting the Parlamentarium and other attractions in the area.

The Schuman square is home to the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. Just a stone’s throw away is the Cinquantenaire park and museums, the Rue Stévin with its international shops and restaurants, and the beautiful Ambiorix square with its impressive Art Nouveau buildings.

In-between both institutional hubs sits the Parc Léopold, a former zoo and science campus. It is home to some of the city’s most remarkable buildings, such as the Bibliothèque Solvay and the Eastman Institute. The latter is currently undergoing renovation works before the House of European History takes up residence in the building. From the park it is a short walk to the Natural History Museum and the eccentric Musée Wiertz.

The Place Jourdan, with its cafés and restaurants and a weekly market, is the link between the institutional side of the European Quarter, and the residential neighborhoods of the municipalities of Etterbeek and Ixelles. Many new housing projects have been developed in the vicinity of the square, and along the adjacent Chaussée d’Etterbeek.

The presence of the European Union’s decision-making bodies and related institutions is a major impulse for the European Quarter’s ongoing transformation aiming at turning this institutional hub into a vibrant part of the city, and the true heart of Europe and home to the European institutions. The masterplan for the area focuses on mobility, housing, architecture and public space, and culture and tourism. Among the most ambitious projects is the Projet Urbain Loi (PUL), which will completely restructure the Rue de la Loi with new public spaces, quality retail and housing. The Schuman square, Place Jourdan and Place du Luxembourg will also undergo significant transformations in the coming years. With the opening of the House of European History, and the continuous development of new housing and quality retail, the area is set to become a true international center in Brussels and Europe.