On Friday, the Brussels government approved a strategic approach “to strengthen its position as a European capital”, including by tackling Luxembourg Square. The region feels the hot breath of Strasbourg and Luxembourg down the neck.
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The plan of Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort (PS) and Secretary of State for European and International Relations Pascal Smet (one.brussels-Vooruit) was drawn up after consultation with the federal level and the European institutions.
In addition to well-known projects such as the renovation of Place Schuman, Cinquantenaire Park and the European Parliament, the renovation of Place Luxembourg is also planned.
In addition, there will be a design study for a pedestrian and cyclist bridge above the railway line between the European Parliament and Place Schuman and the Region wants to ensure, among other things, a less monofunctional district.
Competitive Battle
Brussels wants to strengthen its position as the European capital with this, and that is not a superfluous luxury. On Thursday evening it turned out that Luxembourg and Strasbourg are lurking and are conducting “a very active, and sometimes hostile seat policy (policy to attract large establishments, ed.) towards Belgium”. Government Office Chancellery of the Prime Minister, who could view La Libre Belgique.
Luxembourg would like to attract the seats of the Commission and Strasbourg would like to play an increasingly important role for the European Parliament. This situation is potentially a threat to the future of our capital’s international position.
“There is, indeed, a very strong competition going on between Luxembourg and especially Strasbourg,” confirms Damiaan de Jonge, spokesperson for State Secretary Pascal Smet. “But at the moment most European institutions are based in Brussels, apart from the fact that all parliamentarians have to move to the parliament in Strasbourg once a month.”
Brussels must feel wet, because with the new approach the city wants to “do everything possible to strengthen its position”. There is a lot at stake: the European and international governments in Brussels account for around 5 billion euros a year and more than 120,000 jobs.
“Brussels really has the better cards in its hands, but with the good location alone we will not get there again,” says De Jonge. “Brussels really has to show that it is worth it: a place where people want to live and work, and where everyone is well taken care of.”
This article is originally published on bruzz.be.
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