Journalists

The Lisbon Treaty turned the European Council into an institution in its own right. In addition, it created the position of ‘President’ of the European Council, nominated for two-and-a-half years, with the possibility of renewing his/her nomination for another similar term to a maximum of five years. The main tasks of the President of the European Council are to prepare, chair and lead its meetings, to make sure that decisions are subsequently put into practice and to represent the European Union abroad at his level. At present, the president of European council is Herman van Rompuy. 

International Press Centre in the Residence Palace

Rue de la Loi 155, Block C 02, B-1040 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 235 22 52
Mobile: +32 475 244 697
Email: info@brusselsreporter.eu

The following items are designed to assist journalists through their daily activities. Available for free, J@YS hopes they are used effectively and contribute to maximise your news results.  

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Audiovisual Service

The European Commission Audiovisual Service publishes and stores videos, pictures and sound coverage of European news. All materials can be downloaded and used by journalists. Europe by Satellite, the European Union's TV information service, provides audiovisual material via satellite to media professionals.


EU Calendar

Get up-to-date to the minute with all the events happening in the EU institutions. 


EU Agenda

Clustered and detailed results for events, personnel news and whats on in Brussels and across Europe.


European Agenda

These three websites offer an overview of the major events held in Brussels day by day.


EU Glossary

The European Union provides a rich glossary to help the citizens better understand its institutions and activities.


EUTube

EUtube is a Youtube channel dedicated to the European Union to allow visitors to find out more about the activities of the European Union.


Europe Direct

Europe Direct is the information service of the European Union. The staff answers every kind of question one might have about the European Union by email, telephone, online chat or at the centre. Local centres are present in the Member States. All EU documents and publications are available at the centres.


Guide for journalists

It is sometimes difficult to find information on the European Commission's website, but it is actually a rich source. The DG Communication provides useful tools for journalists, including a guide, specially conceived to help newly arrived journalists to find their way around.


Myths and rumours explained

The European Commission debunks the myths and clarifies some of the rumours that circulate about the European Union.


English style guide

Working abroad often means having to write in a language that is not your mother tongue. English is the working language in almost every Brussels-based organisation and institution. Thefore, it can be useful to have a style guide to refer to. This one was written by the Economist and is provided to all journalists working in the Belgian capital.


Media Centre

Section on the EU's website with information a journalist covering the EU institutions might be looking for. It includes a large range of free audiovisual material such as photos, videos, audio files and RSS feeds.


Terminology Translator

Your notes are in English but you want to write an article in another language and you don't know how to translate EU terminology? The European Union provides this online terminology translator to enhance the standardisation of the information. The website is administrated by official translators.


Voting calculator

The Voting Calculator can be a interesting tool if you happen to want to know how the majority is calculated in the European Council voting system. The Folketing's EU Information Centre has created a calculation chart. Another similar calculator  is available on the European Council's website.


Who is who

Official directory of the European Union electronic directory which presents the organisational charts of the EU institutions, bodies and agencies in all official EU languages. The directory is updated once a week.  In addition to this electronic directory, a printed version is published annually in 3 languages.

 

The story was a scoop, your colleagues were green with jealousy and your boss was closer than ever to considering giving you that pay raise. But that was yesterday - today the fishmonger wraps up his goods in your best efforts as a journalist.

Don’t you sometimes wish for a little more lasting recognition? The following list of articles details the international awards and prizes that recognise journalists and media professionals and which are open to contestants from more than one country.

Who: The Fundación Nuevo Periodismo and CEMEX
What: Award for journalists in Latin America publishing in Internet, radio and television.

For more information, click here


Press Freedom award for critical journalists from East/South Europe

Who: Reporter ohne Grenzen Austria
What: Reporter ohne Grenzen awards every year a critical journalist from East and South Europe with 15,000 euros

For more information (in German), click here


Prix Francophone de la Liberté de la Presse

Who: Radio France Internationale, Reporters sans Frontières and Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
What: Competition for French speaking journalists; The prize consisting of EUR 2,500 awards the best report about human rights.   

For more information, click here.

 

 

 

Programmes for journalists from inside and outside of the EU to exchange cultural experiences in a professional environment. Participants can expect to immerse themselves in local and surrounding culture and witness the inner workings of a foreign-based news office.

To include your journalism fellowship in the following list, please send information to info@brusselsreporter.eu

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Robert Bosch Stiftung Programs

The Robert Bosch Stiftung offers a wide range of programs for journalists, from short trips to exchange programs and fellowships.

For more information about these programnes, click here.

A full list of Belgian and EU media can be found in the European Public Affairs Directory. The following is a selection of some of the most well-known Brussels-based media.

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Belgian newspapers in Dutch

De Standaard

Flemish daily newspaper that was traditionally a Christian-Democratic paper, associated with the Christian-Democratic and Flemish Party. However, today it is politically neutral.


De Morgen

It presents itself as an independent and progressive newspaper and a more dynamic alternative to its two competitors in the Flemish market De Standaard and De Tijd.


Het Laatste Nieuws

Part of De Persgroep, it the most popular newspaper in Flanders and Belgium.
 

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Belgian newspapers in French

Le Soir

One of the most popular Francophone newspaper in Belgium. It is seen as liberal and progressist with politically federalist leanings.


La Libre Belgique

It can be roughly seen as an equivalent of Flemish De Standaard. The paper is widely perceived as pro-catholic.


La Dernière Heure

French general daily newspaper in Belgium. It is specifically known for news and sports.

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EU newspapers and magazines

Agence Europe

Daily update on EU news, written in a slightly bureaucratic style. However, it covers everything – from the lowliest NGO press release to European Councils. In French and English


E!Sharp

The glossy E!Sharp may seem like vanity publishing, but its contributors are almost all leading British journalists.


Euro Correspondent

Euro Correspondent is a network of freelance journalists writing on European affairs.


Europe's World

Europe's World is a journal covering EU affairs and is published three times a year by the think tank Friends of Europe.


European Agenda

European Agenda is a platform for professional life in Brussels. Among other information, it provides a list of the events taking place in Brussels.


European Voice

A weekly EU newspaper distributed free of charge to MEPs and top Commission officials – which means it seeks to inform and influence Brussels’ policy-makers. Although it includes limited hard news, the paper is essential reading for journalists who aim to keep their finger on the EU’s pulse. Top stories on the website are free to access, but some content is for subscribers only.


Europolitics

A daily paper and web publication covering EU affairs in detail. Somewhat dry in style, it is a good one-stop-shop for news in French and English about the Union. It also publishes specialised dossiers on selected themes, such as the environment, enlargement, technology, transport, and energy. Its service is for subscribers only.


Financial Times Brussels

The Financial Times website has a section with European political news.


New Europe

Greek-run weekly newspaper with European political and business news, partly distributed for free.


The Parliament

Fortnightly magazine about EU affairs, focusing on European Parliament input into European affairs.

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Web-based news

BBC Europe

Regularly updated and free of charge, the BBC News website is the biggest news website in the world. It also has a Europe section with a daily European press review.


EUBankers

The EU Banking News Network is an online source of information about banking, financial IT services and offshore jurisdictions.


Euobserver

Launched in 2000, EUobserver provides a balanced coverage of EU affairs and often manages to scoop major news outlets. Very much an insiders’ source, EUobserver also has monthly topical sections and investigative reports on issues that are not on the every-day agenda of the Brussels news-machine.


Euractiv

Partly funded by the European Commission and partly by various business corporations, Euractiv’s coverage is at times uncritical. However, it provides a good round-up of essential Brussels news, links to other sites and background information.


EUBusiness

Most of the news stories are for subscribers only; however AFP-sourced breaking news is free-of-charge. It also sends out a free weekly newsletter, EUBusiness week.


Presseurop

Presseurop publishes a selection of articles from international news, translated into ten languages. It is financially supported by the European Commission.

Even if you are working as a foreign correspondent in Belgium, it is a good idea to stay in your national journalists’ union, or to join it before you leave. They are the ones who can help you if you have troubles with your employer or clients in your home country, and they issue the press cards which will open many doors in Belgium.

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Austria

Gewerkschaft der Privatangestellten, Druck Journalismus, Papier (GPA)

Alfred-Dallinger-Platz 1, 1034 Wien

Tel: +43 (0)5 03 01 301
Fax: +43 (0)5 03 01 300
Email: service@gpa-djp.at
Website: http://www.gpa.at

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Turkey

Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikasi (TGS)

Basın Sarayı kat. 2, 34410 Cağaloğlu/Istanbul

Tel: +90 (212) 514 06 94 / 96
Fax: +90 (212) 511 48 17
Email: gbaskan@tgs.org.tr
Website: http://www.tgs.org.tr


Cagdas Gazeticiler Dernegi
Progressive Journalists Association

Şehit Gönenç Cad. No: 18 (Zabıta yanı), Maltepe – Ankara

Tel/Fax: +90 312 232 69 83
Email: bilgi@cgd.org.tr
Website: http://www.cgd.org.tr/index.php
 

 

 

For more information, click here.

Turkey

 

Türkiye Gazeteciler Sendikasi (TGS)
Basın Sarayı kat. 2
34410 Cağaloğlu/Istanbul
Tel: +90 (212) 514 06 94 / 96
Fax: +90 (212) 511 48 17
E-mail: gbaskan@tgs.org.tr
For more information, click here.

Cagdas Gazeticiler Dernegi
Progressive Journalists Association

Şehit Gönenç Cad. No: 18 (Zabıta yanı)

Maltepe – Ankara

Tel/Fax: +90 312 232 69 83
E-mail: bilgi@cgd.org.tr

For more information, click here.

 

This section has been thought to be a useful professional tool for anyone wanting to have a wide spectrum of the media sector at an European level.

Navigating through this section will give you access to journalism associations; EU and Belgian media; international journalism awards and prizes; and other tools that will make your daily reporting activites easier and more confortable.

If you need to find the name and title of the appropriate person, their address, telephone and fax number, as well as their e-mail and website. Do not waste your time searching anywhere else or calling obsolete numbers that do not exist any longer. For this purpose J@YS offers free-of-charge "Reporting Brussels". This pocket book is available from our office at Residence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi, Block C 2252, 1040 Brussels, and can also be downloaded as an electronic pdf file directly from this website.

 

 

Do you plan to live and work in Belgium? Welcome to one of the world’s largest press corps, and to the home of a number of European and international institutions. Because Brussels has a large concentration of foreigners, expats, there is a number of general information sources out there, that can help you make a smoother move. Here is a selection of them.

Newcomers

If you are a newcomer in the Belgian capital, the information below can help you adjust to the daily life in the new city.

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Bank

Opening a bank account is one of the most stressful and time consuming things that you need to do when you settle in a new country. However, almost every bank in Brussels provides a very useful expatriate service.

There are several ways to find a place to live:

• Rent a fully serviced apartment in a ‘flathotel’, short or long term. These places offer hotel-type
  facilities, such as maid service and laundry.

• Rent or buy your home through an estate agency. The agency will offer a selection of furnished or
  unfurnished apartments and/or houses; it will also handle the contract and other practical details.

• There are also full-service relocation agencies which will guide the whole family through the move in
  terms of information, paperwork and accommodation.

• Search the advertisements. Papers that carry advertisements include The Bulletin (in English),
  The Vlan and Belgian newspapers. Also see Immoweb, and Vlan.

• Walk around the district you prefer, looking for the bright orange sign ‘A Louer’ or ‘Te Huur’, displayed
  on windows or house fronts. Places for sale are advertised as ‘A Vendre’ or
  ‘Te Koop’.www.appartager.be is a good site if you want to share an apartment or look for a studio.

House Prices

There is no legislation on rent prices in Belgium. Nevertheless, for the time being, in Brussels city, the rent for a shared apartment will cost you around € 350 to € 500 according to the condition of the apartment and the location. A one room apartment (Flat /studio) goes around € 500 - € 600. A one room furnished apartment goes from € 600 to € 750. A house will be cost you around € 1000 to € 1 200 (These prices are only estimations and different landlords can give you prices that are far more or less).

Expenses

When renting, remember that the room / apartment advertised rent does not usually include consumption of water, gas and electricity or cleaning and maintenance of communal areas. The costs for cleaning and maintenance (usually labelled in French as ‘charges’) can amount to quite a hefty sum on top of the rent.


Guarantee

Normally you will have to deposit the sum of three months’ rent as a guarantee against any damage to the property. The guarantee, which should never be given in cash, must be deposited in a blocked account at a bank.

Lease

Always read the lease carefully. The same applies to the inventory of fixtures (état des lieux), which details the state of the property when you arrive, as the landlord can charge for anything that has been broken or damaged during your stay. Leases are usually for periods of either three or nine years. If you move before the end of the lease you can be charged for up to three months’ rent, unless you find a new tenant who will take over the lease.

Land tax

Be aware that some landlords may try to charge tenants a ‘land tax’, which should legally be paid by the landlord. This tax may be equivalent to as much as 60% of the monthly rent charge.

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Languages

Learning a new language is always useful, and even more so in an international city as Brussels. There are plenty of places  where to learn French or Dutch, but also other languages.

It is also possible to learn Dutch online, or joining conversation groups.

A list of language schools in Brussels can be found on expatica.com

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Leisure

Museums, restaurants, bars, festivals, Brussels offers a variety of things to do. The agenda can be found in these websites:

Xpats.com
Quefaire.be
BrusselsLife

For those interested in meeting other expats, there is a wide range of  groups and clubs. For more information, click here.

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Bookshops

Books in English

Sterling
Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups 38, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 223 62 23
Open: Monday to Saturday 10.00-19.00, Sunday 12.00-18.30
Website: www.sterlingbooks.be

Waterstone's
Boulevard Adolphe Marx 71-75, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 219 27 08
Open: Monday to Saturday 9.00-19.00, Sunday 10.30-18.00
Website: www.waterstones.com

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Books in French

Filigranes

Avenue des Arts 39-40, 1040 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 511 90 15
Open: Monday to Friday 8.00-20.00, Saturday 10.00-19.30, Sunday 10.00-19.00
Website: www.filigranes.be

Tropismes
Galerie des Princes 11,1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 512 88 52
Open: Monday 13.00-18.30, Tuesday to Thursday 10.00-18.30, Friday 10.00-19.30, 
           Saturday 10.30-19.00, Sunday 13.30-18.30
Website: www.tropismes.com

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Books in Dutch

Passa Porta
Rue Antoine Dansaert 46, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 502 94 60
Open: Monday 12.00-19.00, Tuesday to Saturday 11.00-19.00, Sunday 12.00-18.00
Website: www.passaporta.be

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Books in German

Deutschsprachige Gutenberg Buchhandlung
Rue de Louvain 34, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 512 45 10
Open: Monday to Saturday 10.00-18.00, Close on Wednesdays
Website: www.gutenbergbuchhandlung.be

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Books in Spanish

Punto y coma
Rue Stevin 115a, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 230 10 29
Open: Monday to Saturday 11.00-19.00
Website: www.puntoycoma.be

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Books in Portuguese

Orfeu
Rue du Taciturne 43, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 735 00 77
Website: www.orfeu.blogs.sapo.pt

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Books in Italian

Piola Libri
Rue Franklin 66-68, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 736 93 91
Open: Monday to Friday 11.00-20.00, Saturday 12.00-18.00
Website: www.piolalibri.be

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Books and food

Cook & Book
Avenue Paul Hymans 251, 1200 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 761 26 00
Open: Monday to Wednesday 8.00-22.00, Thursday to Saturday 8.00-0.00, Sunday 8.00-20.00
Website: www.cookandbook.be

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Schools

Families in Brussels have a wide choice of schools, according to their preferred language, religion or educational method. The European schools, which are mainly reserved for the children of EU employees, teach in most European languages. There are several international schools:

BEPS Brussels
Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 23, 1050 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 648 4311
Fax: +32 (0)2 646 1653
Email: brussels@beps.com
Website: www.beps.com


British Junior Academy of Brussels
Boulevard Saint Michel 83, 1040 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 732 53 76
Fax: +32 (0)2 742 01 55
Email: info@bjab.org
Website: www.bjab.org


British School of Brussels
Chaussée de Louvain/Leuvensesteenweg 19, 3080 Tervuren

Tel: +32 (0)2 766 04 30
Fax: +32 (0)2 767 80 70
Email: admissions@britishschool.be
Website: www.britishschool.be


Brussels American School
Avenue J.F. Kennedy 12, 1933 Sterrebeek

Tel: +32 (0)2 717 95 52
Fax: +32 (0)2 782 02 30
Email: fry_janet@odedodea.com
Website: www.brus-ehs.eu.dodea.edu


Brussels International Catholic School
Chaussée de Wavre 457, 1040 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 640 35 36
Email: info@bicschool.be
Website: www.bicschool.be


European School, Brussels I
46 avenue du Vert Chasseur, 1180 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 37 38 611
Fax: +32 (0)2 375 47 16
Website: www.eeb1.org


European School, Brussels II
Avenue Oscar Jespers 75, 1200 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 774 22 11
Fax: +32 (0)2 774 22 60 (primary)
Fax: +32 (0)2774 22 43 (secondary)
Website: www.eeb2.be


European School, Brussels III
Boulevard du Triomphe 135, 1050 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 629 47 92
Fax: +32 (0)2 629 47 00
Website: www.eeb3.eu


International School of Brussels
Kattenberg 19, 1170 Brussels

Tel: + 32 (0) 2 661 42 11
Fax: + 32 (0) 2 661 42 00
Email: web@isb.be
Website: www.isb.be


Japanese School of Brussels
Avenue des Meuniers 133, 1160 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 672 10 38
Fax: +32 (0)2 672 95 27
Email: office@japanese-school-brussels.be
Website: www.japanese-school-brussels.be


Lycée Français Jean Monnet
Avenue du Lycée Français 9, 1180 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 374 58 78
Fax: +32 (0)2 374 98 43
Email: emailinscription@lyceefrancais-jmonnet.be
Website: www.lyceefrancais-jmonnet.be


Montessori House Brussels
Avenue de Tervuren 195, 1150 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 733 63 55
Email: info@montessoribrussels.org - mvr@montessoribrussels.org
Website: www.montessoribrussels.org

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Waste

Sorting the waste is compulsory in Belgium. There are three different plastic bags, which can be bought in supermarkets: the yellow one is for paper, the blue one for plastic bottles and cans, and the white one for everything else. Waste is collected twice a week. Glass is not collected, containers are at streets corners. For more information, click here. 

Social system and health

EU citizens visiting or staying for short periods in Belgium should bring their health insurance European card issued in their own country (former E111). This will provide reimbursement coverage of most medical costs incurred here.

For a longer period, EU foreign workers will have to provide a E106 form from their health insurance at home in order to prove that they subscribed for it in their homeland. Then, as a normal resident in Belgium you will join one of the sickness funds or mutual insurance associations (mutualités/mutualiteiten).

Although most of the mutualités are affiliated to a religious or political institution, there is no real difference between them as reimbursement rates are fixed by the Belgian government.

Employers deduct the cost from your salary, while the self-employed pay their own contributions. When you visit a doctor or dentist, you receive a form that can later be given to your mutual insurance association for partial reimbursement.

You have a free choice of health service. Belgium has special agreements with some non-EU countries, however not all rights are recognised as the EU member States. Check if your country has an agreement with Belgium before arrival. Unfortunately for the countries without agreements like the USA or Canada, it is recommended to subscribe in a private health insurance in your home country.

For more information on the social system, check this online guide published by the Social Security department of the Belgian government.

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You can find the names of some mutualités here

Mutualité Neutre de Bruxelles - Neutraal Ziekenfonds
Avenue de Tervueren 68-70
Tervurenlaan 68-70
1040 Bruxelles - Brussel

Tel: +32 (0)2 733 97 40
Fax: +32 (0)2 733 74 21
Email: info@mut206.be
Website: www.mut206.be

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Mutualité Chrétienne - Christelijke Mutualiteit
Boulevard Anspach 111-115
Anspachlaan 111-115
1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 501 58 58
Fax: +32 (0)2 501 58 38
Website: www.mc.be

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Union Nationale des Mutualités Socialistes - Nationaal Verbond van Socialistiche Mutualiteiten
Rue du Midi 111
Zuidstraat 111
1000 Bruxelles - Brussel

Tel: +32 (0)2 506 96 11
Fax: +32 (02) 515 02 07
Email: info@socmut.be - unms@mutsoc.be
Website: www.mutsoc.be

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Union Nationale des Mutualités Libres (U.N.M.L.) - Landsbond Onafhankelijke Ziekenfonds
Rue Saint-Hubert 19
Sint-Huibrechtsstraat 19
1150 Bruxelles - Brussel

Tel: +32 (0)2 778 92 11
Email: info@mloz.be
Website: www.mloz.be/fr

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Euromut
Boulevard Mettewie 74-76
Louis Mettewielaan 74-76
1080 Bruxelles - Brussel

Tel: +32 (0)2 444 47 00
Fax: +32(0)2 444 43 34
Website: www.euromut.be

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Securex
Cours Saint-Michel 30
Sint-Michelswarande 30
1040 Bruxelles - Brussel

Tel: +32(0)2 729 92 11 
Fax: +32 (0)2 726 84 17
Email: brussel@securex.be
Website: www.securex.be

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Partenamut
Boulevard Anspach 1
Anspachlaan 1
1000 Bruxelles - Brussel

Tel: +32 (0)2 549 76 00
Website: www.partenamut.be

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Partenamut Business & Expats
Boulevard Anspach 1
Anspachlaan 1
1000 Bruxelles – Brussel

Tel: +32 (0)2 549 75 40
Email: corporate-relations@partenamut.be
Website: www.movetobelgium.be

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Partena ziekenfonds & partners
Boulevard Anspach 1
Anspachlaan 1
1000 Bruxelles - Brussel

Tel: +32 (0)9 269 85 00
Fax: +32 (0)9 269 85 48
Email: info@partena-partners.be
Website: www.partena-partners.be

Foreign Journalists

Foreign journalists should be aware of a certain number of basis principles as far as taxes are concerned.

Companies eligible

In order to benefit from this special tax regime, the employer must:

• • Be a commercial or industrial multinational company
• • Have a subsidiary branch or a permanent establishment in Belgium
   

Journalists eligible

Journalists who can apply for this special tax regime are those who:

• • Possess a foreign nationality
• • Perform functions as employees which require a special knowledge and responsibilities
  • live in Belgium because:
• a. They have been seconded by foreign companies to Belgium in order to work there temporarily
• b. They have been seconded to Belgium by foreign companies that form part of an international group
• c. They have been recruited directly from abroad by a Belgian company, a subsidiary of foreign compa or by a Belgian company that forms part of an international group
   

Journalists must also prove that they have maintained in their home country the centre of their economic interest. If they have moved with their family, Belgium will be considered their economic centre, thus they will not be eligible.

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Tax Benefits of the “Expatriate Status”

During their stay in Belgium, journalists who can benefit from this special system are considered as non-resident, which implies that they are only taxable on their Belgian source of income.

Journalists are also entitled to receive non-taxable allowances which are deemedto cover the difference in cost-of-living, housing costs and tax equalisation between Belgium and their home country. The maximum amount of these tax free allowances is around 11.100 EUR a year.

Procedure

• • This special tax regime must be requested by the employer and by the employee, and an application
     has to be prepared.
• • The application has to be sent within six months, starting from the beginning of the activities in Belgium,
     to the Tax Inspector for non-residents:

Bureau Central de taxation Bruxelles Etranger, North Galaxy Tour B – 7e étage, Boulevard du Roi Albert II 33/32, 1030 Bruxelles

Tel: +32 (0)2 572 57 57
Email: bct.cd.bruxelles.etr@minfin.fed.be

• If the application is made after this due date, the journalist will perhaps get the expatriate status,
   but only as from the year which will follow the request!
• This file, introduced by the employer must establish that the company qualifies and that the
   employees fulfil the requested conditions (see above).
• The application must also give the detail of the salary and the tax free allowances and give an
   estimate of the travel exclusion. It must thus show that the benefit of the system goes to the employer.
• The acceptance (or the refusal) of the application will be sent by the tax authorities after several
   months and under registered cover to the employer.
• If the expatriate status is granted, the employee will have to file a non resident tax form each year.

All the above applies to general cases. For individual cases, contact the Centre of Administration at: +32 (0)2 572 57 57

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Special tax remarks for freelancers working in Belgium

Belgium has a favourable tax system for income deriving from author’s rights.

For incomes up to 51.920 EUR (income 2009), 15% will be taxable. However, half of the first 13.840 EUR is deemed as “professional costs”, and is thus free from any tax. The other half of this amount is taxed at 15%. The portion between 13.840 and 27.690 EUR has a 25% deduction for agreed costs, meaning that 75 % of this portion will be taxed at 15%. The remainder, between 27.690 and 51.920 EUR, has no agreed costs rate, thus it will be taxed at 15%.

For incomes above 51.920 EUR, the income will be taxed as a normal professional income with tax rates between 25 and 50%.

The dilemma: if you receive 1.000 EUR from a publisher for an article you wrote, how much of it should be considered a fee for your work and how much can be deemed a payment for your author’s rights (and thus favourably taxed)?

Belgian publishers saw this change as a great opportunity for writers and told their freelancers that the entire fee would be paid as author’s rights beginning in 2009. The law states that the organisation that pays the author’s rights has to withdraw the 15% automatically and directly pay the Belgian tax authorities. In other words, authors no longer has to mention that income (“roerend inkomen” in Dutch, “revenus mobiliers” in French) on their tax form, as it has already been taxed “at the source”. Since 2009, Belgian publishers have been withdrawing the 15% from the payment owed to their freelancers, ultimately a considerable increase in the net income of freelance writers.

However, the Belgian Journalists Association does not believe that the tax change will last, as it would result in a drastic decrease in overall tax income for the Belgian state and social security organisations in the long run.

In January 2010, the Flemish Journalists Organisation (VVJ) met with representatives from daily newspapers to look at what might be a sounder ratio between professional incomes (the fee for the work) and “roerend inkomen/revenus mobiliers” (in this case meaning author’s rights). Both parties agreed that a 70-30 proportion might be permanently accepted by tax authorities and social security organisations. The proportion would mean that for every 1.000 EUR earned, 700 of which would be “normally” taxed, while the remaining 300 would be (favourably) taxed as author’s rights.

However, at the time of publication of this content, analyst associations and publishers have not yet reached an agreement with tax authorities, thus this ratio may not be accepted.

Of course, the above information applies to the income for a first publication right. Additional income, deriving from the resale of an article or a video by the editing or broadcasting company, can be considered as 100% author’s rights.

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More information

More information for no-residents can be found on the Belgian Federal Public Service's website.
Articles on general rules for taxation of foreigners in Belgium can be found on expatica.com. 

 

Before you leave home

All foreign nationals staying in Belgium longer than three months must register in their corresponding commune in order to get a residence permit and a Belgian ID card. This rule applies to both EU and non-EU citizens, people owning a house or an apartment, as well as those staying in a hotel.

Contact the town hall within eight days of arrival to get information and set up an appointment. Both the process and the documents required vary slightly from commune to commune. Journalists should bring their temporary press pass from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; copies of your lease and passport; as well documents proving you will be able to support yourself in Belgium, such as a letter from your employer. You will also need to bring 4 passport-sized photos, and some cash to pay the required fee, which, depending on the commune, is usually a little under €20.

Once the commune has all the required documentation, the police will verify your address. This usually happens within one to two weeks of your visit to the Maison Communale. If you are not at home when the police call, the officer will leave a card giving you an appointment at your local police station.

After your address has been verified by the police, your card should be issued in three to four weeks, though this can be longer at busy periods of the year. Depending on your commune, you will either be sent a letter inviting you to come to the Maison Communale to collect your identity card or the police will deliver the card to your address.

You will initially be issued with a temporary ID card, which is valid for three months. A permanent residents card will be granted once you have joined the Belgian social security system.

Attracted by a vast number of European organisations, institutes, NGOs or lobby groups, embassies and consulates, Brussels has become the home of a large community of expats from all over the world. Whereas many of them come on assignment, others choose the Belgian capital to further their careers and finally they never leave. 

If you are one of them, the following information will make your stay in Brussels more comfortable.

At first glance, the people of Brussels might give you the impression of being rather distant. However, the minute one gets to know them, one becomes easily amused by their widespread fascination for beer, good cuisine and a good sense of humor. The fact that the single, most photographed item in Belgium is a statue/fountain of a naked little boy's public indiscretion (Mannekin Pis) goes a long way to explaining the sense of humor and love of art that typifies Brussels and Belgium in general.

This section comprises practical information about all the aspects of living in Brussels, including the tedious and endless paperwork that it takes to settle in the city. In addition to all these practicalieties, there is invaluable information on blending into your new life, from finding the best international schools for your children through to where to find a travel guide in your own language.

J@YS is formed by the following journalism organisations

Résidence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155, B-1040 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 235 22 00
Email: efj@ifj.org
Website: www.europe.ifj.org 

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Maria Laura Franciosi
Journalists @ Your Service, President

As a graduate in Political Science at the University of Rome, Maria Laura Franciosi became a lecturer in Language and Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (1967-1970) where she also followed a Master (MSc) course in International Relations. Later on she qualified as a journalist and joined the Foreign Service of ANSA, where she worked in Rome, London and Brussels as deputy bureau chief until 2001. After that she has become a freelance journalist for various media.


Terry Brisco
Journalists @ Your Service, Vice-President

Freelance British writer and proof-reader based in Brussels for several decades, focused mainly on European transport, technology, the environment, and regional development. Currently secretary of the Brussels branch of the NUJ, which meets regularly in the Residence Palace.


Cristina Romero
Journalists @ Your Service, Coordinator

Spanish journalist based in Brussels and currently working as project coordinator at the European Journalism Centre. She holds a degree in journalism from the Complutense University of Madrid and an MA in International Relations with a thesis on the China and Tibet conflict. Before moving to Brussels, she worked in the bureau of the BBC in Madrid; for Spanish largest media group Prisa and for the Spanish news agency EFE. In 2009 she came joined the EJC team in Maastricht and in 2010 became part of the EJC Brussels´ team.

Journalists @ Your Service (J@YS) is a help centre and information hub for journalists providing professional advice and assistance to journalists covering Brussels and the EU.

So far so good

J@YS was created 10 years ago coinciding with the launch of the International Press Centre at the Residence Palace, which was the highpoint of the then Belgian EU Presidency.

Some of the objectives we have aimed at included providing a constant stream of advice to journalists in Brussels on professional and daily issues; organising stimulating debates about current issues of concern to journalists; and establishing an information contact point that would put Brussels journalism on the European map.

Ten years on J@YS  has done very well. We have organised plenty of seminars and many briefings for journalists to help them understand the riddle of the Belgian tax system, or how to survive as freelancers, how to make sense of their authors’ rights or how to get to grips with the financial jargon. We have held challenging debates on various topics like the complex Belgian political system; and we have also published a useful booklet with contacts and information for working journalists, which is revised and updated every year.

J@YS services include

* Information for journalists and the press in Brussels and Belgium.
* Regular briefings, debates and events of interest to journalists.
* Updated diary of news events for journalists and media.
* Navigation through sources of information available in the city.
* Access to the work of major national and international political institutions.
* Additional advice on legal, financial, professional and union issues.

Where to find us

International Press Centre in the Residence Palace
Rue de la Loi 155, Block C 02, B-1040 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 235 22 52
Mobile: +32 475 244 697
Email: info@brusselsreporter.eu

Belgium's political system is based on a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with King Albert II as head of state. The country finally attained its federal status in the year 1995.

Under its current political system, the government is divided into the federal government, the regional governments and the community councils.

The Federal State holds the most important powers, for example in the area of foreign affairs, national defence, justice, finance, social security, important parts of national health and domestic affairs.The power to make decisions is no longer the exclusive preserve of the federal government and the federal parliament. Therefore the leadership of the country is now in the hands of various partners, who independently exercise their authority within their domains.

Reconciling regional and cultural identities within a federal structure is not an easy task. Yet, it has the advantage of taking the decision process closer to the population. The result is a more sharply defined political structure with a greater emphasis on the quality of life.

The regions were historically inspired by economic interests. The establishment of the three regions was the result: the Flemish Region, the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon Region. Up to a certain level they can be compared with the American states or the German 'Länder'.

The following addresses and press contacts will come in handy if you wish to follow up on the Belgium political context

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Federal Government

Rue de la Loi - Wetstraat 16, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0) 2 501 02 11
Fax: 02-512 69 53
Website: www.belgium.be

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Federal Parliament of Belgium

Chamber of Representatives
Paleis der Natie

Rue de Louvain 13, B-1008 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0) 2 549 81 1
Fax: +32 (0) 2 549 84 35 
Website: www.lachambre.be

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Senate

Palais de la Nation/Paleis der Natie

Rue de la Loi - Wetstraat 8, B-1009 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0) 2 501 72 00
Fax: 02 501 77 34
Website: www.senate.be

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Regions

Government of Wallonia (French-speaking)

Website: gov.wallonie.be

Walloon Parliament (Parlement Wallon)

Public sessions: Rue Notre-Dame 1, 5000 Namur
Administrative Services: Rue Saint Nicolas 24, 5000 Namur
Parliamentarians, political groups: Rue Notre-Dame 9, 5000 Namur

Website: parlement.wallonie.be

Government of Flanders (for the region and community) (Dutch-speaking)

Website: www.vlaanderen.be

Flemish Parliament (Vlaamse Parlement)

Postal address: Vlaams Parlement, 1011 Brussels
Visiting adress: Leuvenseweg 27, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 552 1111
Fax: 02 552 11 22
Email: algemeen@vlaamsparlement.be
Website: www.vlaamsparlement.be

Government of Brussels region

Website: www.brussels.irisnet.be

Brussels Regional Parliament
(Le Parlement Bruxellois/Het Brussels Parlement)

Rue du Lombard 69, Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2/549 62 11
Fax: 02 549 62 12
Email: Parlement@parlbru.irisnet.be
Website: www.parlbru.irisnet.be

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Government of the Flemish community

Martelaarsplein 19, 1000 Brussels

Tel:  +32 (0)2 552 60 00
Fax: 02 552 60 01
Website: www.flanders.be

Government of the German Community

(Regierung der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft Belgiens)
Regierung der DG

Klötzerbahn 32, 4700 Eupen

Tel: 087 59 64 00
Fax: 087 74 02 58
Email: regierung@dgov.be
Website: www.dglive.be

Consultancies represent other key actors on the Brussels scene. They provide advice to the private or public sector and carry out lobbying activities to influence the European institutions in the regulatory affairs area.

 

Originally imported from countries like the United States and the UK, think tanks have expanded to Brussels over recent years. They can be a godsend to EU journalists because their policy experts truly know their stuff. But a word of caution: many of the Brussels-based think tanks are funded by the European Commission, making objectivity difficult.

A full list of lthink-tanks can be found in the European Public Affairs Directory. The following is a selection of a few of the most well-known think tanks in Brussels.

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Bruegel

Bruegel works in the field of international economics seeking to contribute to European and global economic policy-making through research, analysis and debate.

Rue de la Charité 33, 1210 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 227 42 10 

Communications Manager: Naiara Martinez
Tel: +32 (0)2 227 42 90
Email: naiara.martinez@bruegel.org
Website: www.bruegel.org

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Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)

CEPS the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) is among the most experienced  think tanks operating in the European Union today. CEPS serves as a leading forum for debate on EU affairs with a strong in-house research capacity and an extensive network of partner institutes throughout the world.

Place du Congres 1, 1000 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 229 39 11

Head of Communications: Marco INCERTI
Tel: +32 (0)2 229 39 70
Email: marco.incerti@ceps.eu
Website: www.ceps.eu

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European Policy Centre (EPC)

EPC provides its members and the wider public with analysis on the EU and global policy agenda. Its work is geared  to help understand the complexity of EU politics and to shape developments on the European stage.

Residence Palace, Block C, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 231 03 40
Communications Executive: Daphne DAVIES
Tel:+32 (0)2 286 93 74
Email: d.davies@epc.eu
Website: www.epc.eu

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Friends of Europe

Friends of Europe provides an open forum for debate among EU and national policymakers, NGOs, business leaders, the media and civil society.

Bibliotheque Solvay, Parc Leopold, Rue Belliard 137, 1040 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 737 91 45
Fax:+32 (0)2 738 75 97

Head of Communications: James Kevin MAC GORIS
Tel: +32 (0)2 739 15 73
Email: jameskevin.macgoris@friendsofeurope.org
Website: www.friendsofeurope.org

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German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF)

The German Marshall Fund of the United States is a public policy institution dedicated to promoting better understanding and cooperation between North America and Europe on transatlantic and global issues.

Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 238 52 70
Fax:+32 (0)2 238 52 99

Deputy Director of Communications: Elizabeth BOSWELL REGA
Tel: +32 (0)2 238 52 83
Email: eboswellrega@gmfus.org
Website: www.gmfus.org

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The Lisbon Council

The Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness and Social Renewal is a policy network committed to defining and articulating a mature strategy for managing current and future economic and social challenges.

Residence Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 647 95 75
Fax:+32 (0)2 640 98 28
Email: info@lisboncouncil.net
Website: www.lisboncouncil.net

 

The influence of civil society groups in EU policy making has increased in recent years. Thus consulting non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is a key part of Europe and governance.

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Amnesty International

Amnesty International aims at promoting and ensuring the respect of human rights by campaigning to fight against all kind of abuse. Like many other international NGOs, Amnesty has an office in Brussels, which promotes lobbying for the European institutions.

European Union Office, Rue de Treves 35, Boite 3, 1040 Brussels

Media and Networks Officer: Prerna HUMPAL
Tel:+32 (0)2 548 27 76
Email: amnestyIntl@ajeu.be
Website: www.amnesty-eu.org

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Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch works to protect and defend human rights worldwide by investigating and challenging governments  in order to hold abusers accountable.

Avenue des Gaulois 7, 1040 Brussels

European Press Director: Reed BRODY
Media Associate: Maya TAAL
Tel: +32 (0)2 737 14 90
Email: hrwbe@hrw.org -  hrwatcheu@skynet.be
Website: www.hrw.org

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Platform of European Social NGO's

The Platform of European Social NGO's brings together more than 40 organisations, federations and networks working on the promotion of social justice for all within the European Union.

Square de Meeus 18, 1050 Brussels

Communications Officer: Mehran KHALILI
Tel: +32 (0)2 511 37 14
Fax: +32 (0)2 511 19 09
Email: mehran.khalili@socialplatform.org
Website: www.socialplatform.org

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European Citizen Action Service (ECAS)

ECAS is a cross-sectoral association, which provides advice on how to lobby and defend European citizenship rights.

Avenue de la Toison d'Or 77, 4th floor, 1060 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 548 04 90
Email: press@ecas.org
Website: www.ecas-citizens.eu

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Greenpeace EU

Greenpeace campaigns against environmental degradation. Their office in Brussels monitors European policies and challenges decision-makers to implement progressive solutions.

Rue Belliard 199, 1040 Brussels

Communications Manager: Mark BREDDY
Tel:+32 (0)2 274 19 03
Email: mark.breddy@greenpeace.org
Website: www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit

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Friends of the Earth Europe

Friends of the Earth Europe unites more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups and campaigns for the protection of the environment through campaigns, publications and events.

Mundo-b Building, Rue d’Edimbourg 26, 1050 Brussels

Communication officer: Francesca GATER
Tel: +32 (0)485 93 05 15
Email: francesca.gater@foeeurope.org
Website: www.foeeurope.org

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WWF European Policy Office

The WWF European Policy Office helps realise WWF's mission to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment by shaping EU environmental policies.

Avenue de Tervuren 168, B20, 1150 Brussels

Press Officer: Stefania CAMPOGIANNI
Tel: +32 (0)2 743 88 15
Email: scampogianni@wwfepo.org
Website: www.wwf.panda.org


Oxfam International

Oxfam is an international development and humanitarian organisation working in over 90 countries, with partners and allies, to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice.

Their EU office spans numerous policy areas including food security, climate change, development policy and finance, and the provision of humanitarian assistance to victims of conflicts and natural disasters.

EU Advocacy Office, Rue de la Science, 4 - 1000 Brussels

EU Media & Communications Officer: Angela CORBALAN
Tel: + 32 2 234 11 15 / + 32 473 56 22 60
Email: angela.corbalan@oxfaminternational.org
Website: www.oxfam.org / http://oxfameu.blogactiv.eu

 

 

 

 

The lobbying industry is one of the city’s fastest growing sectors, with an explosion of dedicated lobbying and consultancy firms.

It is estimated that there are now some 15,000 lobbyists in Brussels, representing interests as diverse as the pharmaceutical industry, the Spanish region of Aragon, and animal protection groups.

As well as hosting lavish receptions for EU professionals, the bigger lobbying companies sponsor many of the public debates and exhibitions that make Brussels such a stimulating place.

A full list of lobby firms and political consultancies can be found in the European Public Affairs Directory. The following is a selection of a few of the more active lobby groups in Brussels.

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Association of European Airlines (AEA)

A total of 35 airlines are members of the Association of European Airlines, which works with the European institutions to ensure the sustainable growth of the airline industry.

Avenue Louise 350, 1050 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 639 89 89
Email: media.enquiries@aea.be
Website: www.aea.be

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Business Europe

Business Europe is the main horizontal business organisation at EU level representing some  20 million companies from 34 countries. Its main task is to defend the companies' interests via-a-vis the European institutions with the principal aim of preserving and strengthening corporate competitiveness.

Avenue de Cortenbergh 168, 1000 Brussels

Senior adviser, press: Peter VERTESSY
Tel: +32 (0)2 237 65 03
Email: main@businesseurope.eu
Website: www.businesseurope.eu

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Committee of Agricultural Organisations in the European Union (COPA)

COPA represents both the general and specific interests of farmers in the European Union. It gathers 60 organisations within the EU area 36 partner organisations from other European countries such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.

Rue de Treves 61, 1040 Brussels

Press officer: Amanda CHEESLEY
Email: amanda.cheesley@copa.cogeca.eu
Tel: +32 (0)2 287 27 11
Website: www.copa-cogeca.eu

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The Community of European Railways (CER)

The Community of European Railways represents the interests of 76 railways companies to the European Union.

Avenue des Arts 53, 1000 Brussels

Press and Communications manager: Eva BÖCKLE
Tel: +32 (0)2 213 08 90
Email: eva.boeckle@cer.be
Website: www.cer.be

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Eurochambres

Eurochambres represents European Chambers of Commerce and Industry in order to strength the voice and the position of European Chambers as significant influencers of EU affairs on all major economic issues.

Chamber House, Avenue des Arts 19, 1040 Brussels

Press officer: Guendalina COMINOTTI
Tel:+32 (0)2 282 08 66
Email: cominotti@eurochambres.eu
Website: www.eurochambres.eu

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European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA)

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association represents the interests of 16 European car, truck and bus manufacturers at EU level. Its membership consists of the major international automobile companies, working together in an active association to ensure effective communication and negotiation with legislative, commercial, technical, consumer, environmental and other interests.

Avenue des Nerviens 85, 1040 Brussels

Director communications & public relations: Sigrid DE VRIES
Tel: +32 (0)2 738 73 45
Email: sv@acea.be
Website: www.acea.be

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European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC)

CEFIC represents the interests of the European chemical industry. On the European scene, Cefic is the voice of 29,000 large, medium and small chemical companies, representing its members and interacting daily on their behalf with international and EU institutions, non-governmental organizations, the international media and other stakeholders.

Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 6, 1160 Brussels

Press relations: James PIEPER
Tel: +32 (0)2 676 73 98
E-mail: jpi@cefic.be
Website:www.cefic.be

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Eurocontrol (European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation)

Eurocontrol's mission is to develop a seamless, pan-European air traffic management (ATM) system.

Rue de la Fusee 96, 1130 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 729 35 01
Fax:+32 (0)2 729 91 00
Email: press@eurocontrol.in

Press Officer: Kyla EVANS
Tel: +32 (0)2 729 50 95
Email: kyla.evans@eurocontrol.int

Press officer: Lucia PASQUINI
Tel:+32 (0)2 729 34 20
Email: lucia.pasquini@eurocontrol.int

Website: www.eurocontrol.int

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The European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC)

BEUC is an umbrella organisation which defends the interests of all of Europe's consumers. It was one of the first lobbying organisations to set up base in the European capital in a bid to influence the decision-making process.

Rue d'Arlon 80, box 1, 1040 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 743 15 90
Fax: +32 (0)2 740 28 02  

Head of Communications: Johannes KLEIS
Communications Officers: John PHELAN and Ophélie SPANNEUT
Tel: +32 (0)2 789 24 01
Email: press@beuc.eu
Website: www.beuc.org

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The European Food Information Council (EUFIC)

The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) provides information on food safety and quality to the media, health and nutrition professionals and educators, in a way that promotes consumer understanding.

Tassel House, Rue Paul-Emile Janson 6, 1000 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 506 89 89
Communications manager: Philip SPRINGUEL
Email: philip.springuel@eufic.org / media@eufic.org
Website: www.eufic.org

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European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

ETUC represents the common interests of workers and campaigns for an EU with a strong social dimension. At present, the ETUC has in membership 83 National Trade Union Confederations from 36 European countries, as well as 12 European industry federations, making a total of 60 million members.

Boulevard du Roi Albert II 5, 1210 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 224 04 11
Fax:+32 (0)2 224 04 54/55

Head of Communications: Patricia GRILLO
Tel:+32 (0)2 224 04 30
Email: pgrillo@etuc.org
Website: www.etuc.org

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European Trade Union Institute (ETUI)

The European Trade Union Institute is an association conducting research and trainings on issues related to labour while building bridges between the academic and research community and the labour movement.

Boulevard du Roi Albert II 5, box 4, 1210 Brussels

Tel:+ 32(0)2 224 04 70
Fax:+ 32(0) 2 224 05 02
Information officer: Denis GREGOIRE
Tel:+32 (0)2 224 05 52
Email: dgregoire@etui.org
Website:www.etui.org

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European Women's Lobby

The mission of the European Women's Lobby is the largest umbrella organisation of women's assication in the European Union, working for the  promotion of real and effective gender equality and women's rights in all spheres of public and private life. 

Rue Hydraulique 18, 1210 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 217 90 20
Fax: +32 (0)2 219 84 51

Communications and Media Officer: Leanda BARRINGTON-LEACH
Tel: +32 (0)488 41 94 21
Email: barrington@womenlobby.org
Website: www.womenlobby.org

 

In the EU Jargon it is very common the use of acronyms. Although not exhaustive, the following list includes the most commonly used acronyms in the EU context.

For a more comprehensive list check here.

 

The presence of the European Institutions has led almost all international organisations to open offices in Brussels. They are joined by lobbies, think thanks and NGO's seeking a say in the policy and decision making process.

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African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP)

It is not surprising that the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States has a Secretariat in Brussels, given that it closely collaborates with the European Union through joint institutions.

Avenue Georges Henri 451, 1200 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 743 06 00
Website: www.acpsec.org

Press and information officer: Robert IROGA
Tel: +32 (0)2 743 06 17
Email: iroga@acp.int

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Council of Europe

The Council of Europe, often confused with the European Council, is not, as it would seem, one of the European Union institutions. It has 47 Member States and it aims at strengthening European integration through the development of common values and the defense of human rights and democracy.

Avenue de l’Europe, 67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France

Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 20 00
Email: pressunit@coe.int

Director of Communication: Daniel HOLTGEN
Tel:+33 (0)3 90 21 50 20
Email: daniel.holtgen@coe.int

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European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

The European Free Trade Association was created by Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland to promote free trade and economic integration among its members.

Rue Joseph II 12-16, 1000 Brussels

Tel:+32 (0)2 286 17 11
Email: mail.bxl@efta.int
Website: www.efta.int

Information Officer: Tore GRONNINGSAETER
Tel:+32 (0)2 286 17 19
Fax: +32 (0)2 286 17 50
Email: tgr@efta.int

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NATO Headquarters

Along with other countries, NATO is comprised by 21 out of 27 EU Member States. With the Berlin Plus agreement, signed in 2002, the relation between NATO and the European Union has changed; the EU can use NATO assets to act independently in an international crisis, but only on the condition that NATO does not want to do it itself.

Boulevard Leopold III, 1110 Brussels

Tel: +32 (0)2 707 41 11
Email: natodoc@hq.nato.int
Website: www.nato.int

NATO spokesperson: Oana LUNGESCU

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United Nations (Information office)

United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels). This agency provides all kind of documentation, reports, information and press kits about the UN to the countries of the region.

Residence Palace, Block C2, 7th floor, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels

Desk Officer for EU and Benelux: Jean-Luc ONCKELINX
Tel: +32 (0)2 788 84 84
Email: onckelinx@unric.org
Website: www.unric.org

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United Nations (UN agencies)

UN agencies have an office in Brussels to support UN activities within the EU institutions. 

Rue Montoyer 14, 1000 Brussels

Website: www.unbrussels.org

 

Jargon is a disease that afflicts the EU as it does all big bureaucracies. Translating the Euro-speak into a language that citizens can understand often involves cutting corners and sacrificing accuracy for intelligibility.

The EU has made a stab at drafting a ‘plain language guide to Brussels jargon’. However the sometimes long-winded explanations are not snappy enough for journalists to use in 500-600 word articles.

The following is an attempt at a journalists’ EU dictionary. Often, institutions have been replaced by people, as readers tend to relate more to the latter than the former.

The idea of the European integration was introduced after World War II, when a number of European leaders sought ways to secure peace and stability on the continent.

Take a glimpse at the following key dates that point out the most salient moments of the EU's integration process. 

 

With a vocabulary and calendar maneuvering eurocrats throughout the Schuman area of Brussels, it is essential for journalists to be familiar with the agenda and jargon spoken within the EU's institutional habitat.

 

Permanent accreditation

Permanent accreditation to the European Commission entitles journalists to an inter-institutional accreditation card also valid for the European Parliament and the Council. In order to obtain the permanent accreditation, proof of professional status as well as proof of secondary residence, in or near Brussels, are mandatory. Journalists working under a freelance basis need to prove they contribute to their media.

The accreditation card is valid for one year and is renewable. This card provides journalists with access to the press area of the European Commission and to its restaurant. For all other offices, journalists have to be accompanied by a member of the staff.

Accreditation is conferred by DG Communication on the advice of the Advisory Committee on Accreditation, with representatives from DG Communications, the International Press Association, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. Request forms for EU accreditation can be filled here.

Occasional visitors

Visiting journalists with national accreditation can attend EU press events by contacting the press room team by fax (+32 2 299 4770) or e-mail. If possible, 24 hour notice is required.Special accreditation is usually needed for specific events (such as major press conferences with increased security measures or European Councils) for security reasons. Appointments may also be made to see Commission spokespersons.

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Accreditation for European Commission

Contact: Pier SOLDATI
Tel: +32 (0)2 299 01 70
Fax:+32 (0)2 299 47 70
Email: pier.soldati@ec.europa.eu

Documents needed:

• • Accreditation letter from the editor-in-chief (from the HQ of the media)
• • Passport or, for EU nationals, identity card
• • National press card
• • Proof of residence in Belgium
• • Two passport photographs
•  

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Accreditation for the European Parliament

In Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)2 283 30 00 

In Strasbourg
Tel: +33 3 88 17 4005
Email: press-conf@europarl.europa.eu

Documents needed:

• • National press card (or copy)
• • Passport or ID card (or copy)
• • One passport photograph
•  

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Accreditation for the Council

Journalists accredited to the other EU institutions are only permitted in the press area and restaurant of the Council of the EU. To have access to other areas, you need an identification document and must be accompanied by a member of staff. Journalists who are not accredited should send a request by fax: +32 (0)2 285 85 41 or e-mail: press.office@consilium.europa.eu to the Council Press Centre.

Documents needed:

• • National press card
• • Passport or ID card
• • One passport photograph
•  

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Accreditation for EU Presidency and Summits

Journalists who need access to a European Summit and other meetings arranged by the EU Presidency must be accredited directly with the EU Presidency Accreditation.

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Accreditation for NATO

Contact:  Damien ARNAUD
Tel: + 32 (0)2 707 50 38
Fax: +32 (0)2 707 50 57
Email: press@hq.nato.int

Documents needed:

• • Accreditation letter from your editor-in-chief
• • Passport
• • National press card
• • Temporary press pass issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (see below)
• • Two passport photographs
•  

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Accreditation to Belgian authorities

A procedure through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be followed. Once acquired, the document allows entry into all Belgian institutions.

1) Temporary press pass (valid for six months)

Contact: Nathalie Baret or Veerle Van Beveren, Press department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tel: +32 (0)2 501 80 68 / +32 (0)2 501 84 07
Fax: +32 (0)2 513 25 46
Email: presse@diplobel.fed.be / pers@diplobel.fed.be

Documents needed:

• • Passport (+ type D visa). ID Card for an EU country nationals
• • Proof of correspondent staus
• • National press card
• • Two passport photographs
•  

This temporary press card can be renewed when you have applied for registration in your Commune (municipality)


2) Permanent Press Card

This is valid for five years and is issued by the International Press Association (API)

Contact: Martine Joos
Tel: +32 (0)2 235 22 24
Email: info@api-ipa.eu

For more accurate information on accreditation to the EU Institutions click here.

In order to support the EU Member States and their citizens, a number of specialised and decentralised EU agencies, that are not formal institutions, have been established across different members of the EU.

Set up either by legislation or through a treaty, these agencies are created in response to a desire for geographical devolution and the need to cope with new tasks of a legal, technical and/or scientific nature.

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European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training

European Agency that promotes the development of vocational education and training in the European Union.

Europe 123, 570 01 Thessaloniki (Pylea), Greece

Head of communication: Gerd Oskar BAUSEWEIN
Tel: +30 23 10 49 02 88
Fax: +30 23 10 49 00 99
Email: gerd-oskar.bausewein@cedefop.europa.eu
Website: www.cedefop.europa.eu

Brussels office
Tour Madou, 4th floor, Office 67, 1049 Brussels

Tel: +32 2 2991093
Fax: +32 2 2921891

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Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union

Body in charge of the translation needs to European agencies and offices.

Rue du Fort Thüngen 1, L-1499 Luxembourg

Press contact: Catherine STEINMETZ
Tel: +352 42 17 11 213
Fax: +352 42 17 11 220
Email: catherine.steinmetz@cdt.europa.eu
Website: www.cdt.europa.eu

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Community Plant Variety Office

Office that implements a system of intellectual property rights for plants varieties.

Boulevard Maréchal Foch 3, 49000 Angers, France

Tel: +33 2 41 25 64 00
Fax: +33 2 41 25 64 10

Press contact: Fabien SANTOIRE
Email: santoire@cpvo.europa.eu
Website: www.cpvo.eu.int

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European Agency for Reconstruction

Agency responsible for the management, on behalf of the European Commission, the European Union’s main assistance programmes in the Republic of Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Egnatia 4, 54626 Thessaloniki, Greece

Tel: +30 2310 505 100
Fax: +30 2310 505 172
Website: www.ear.europa.eu

Press contact: Irini ROMBOUJLOU
Email: irini.romboujlou@ear.europa.eu

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European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

EU agency aimed at strengthening Europe’s defences against infectious diseases.

Tomtebodavägen 11a, Solna, Sweden

Press Officer: Sarah EARNSHAW
Tel: +468 5860 1624
Email: sarah.earnshaw@ecdc.europa.eu
Website: www.ecdc.europa.eu

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European Chemicals Agency

EU body that works to improve the quality of life by ensuring the safe use of chemicals and by fostering innovation.

Annankatu 18, 00120 Helsinki, Finland

Tel: +358 9 686180 
Fax: +358 9 686 18 21
Website: echa.europa.eu

Press contact: Juhani SORMUNEN
Email: juhani.sormunen@echa.europa.eu

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European Environment Agency

Agency responsible for providing sound and independent information on the environment.

Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark

Head of communication: Katja ROSENBOHM
Tel: +45 2364 6454
Email: katja.rosenbohm@eea.europa.eu
Website: www.eea.europa.eu

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European Food Safety Authority

Independent European agency that assesses and communicates on all risks associated with the food chain.

Largo N. Palli 5/A (on the Viale Mentana) I-43100 Parma, Italy

Press contact: Stephen PAGANI
Tel: +39 052 103 68 74
Fax: +39 052 103 608 74
Email: stephen.pagani@efsa.europa.eu
Website: www.efsa.europa.eu

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European monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction

A descentralised agency that provides the EU and its Member States with a factual overview of European drug problems and a solid evidence base to support the drugs debate.

Cais de Sodre 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal

Press contact: Kathy ROBERTSON
Tel: +351 211 21 02 00/32
Fax: +351 21 813 1711
Email: kathryn.robertson@emcdda.europa.eu
Website: www.emcdda.europa.eu

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European Agency for the Evaluation of medicinal Products

Agency responsible for the scientific evaluation of medicines developed by pharmaceutical companies for use in the European Union.

7 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London E14 4HB, UK

Press contact: Martin HARVEY-ALLCHURCH
Tel: +44 20 7418 427
Fax: +44 20 7478 8409
Email: press@emea.europa.eu
Website: www.emea.europa.eu

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European network and Information Security Agency

EU’s response to security issues of the European Union.

P.O. Box 1309 71001 Heraklion - Crete - Greece

Press contact: Ulf BERGSTRÖM
Tel: +330 28 1039 1286
Email: ulf.bergstrom@enisa.europa.eu
Website: www.enisa.europa.eu

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European Railway Agency

EU’s body that works for the development of a safe and modern integrated railway network.

120, Rue Marc Lefranq 59300 Valenciennes, France

Press contact: Thorsten HAHN
Tel: +33 3 27 09 65 95
Fax: + 33 3 27 09 65 95
Email: thorsten.hahn@era.europa.eu
Website: www.era.europa.eu

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European Training Foundation

EU’s agency which supports education and training in countries surrounding the EU.

Villa Gualino, Viale Settimio Severo 65, I-10133 Torino, Italy

Tel: +39 011 630 2222
Fax: +39 011 2200
Press contact: Bent SORENSEN
Email: etf@etf.europa.eu
Website: www.etf.europa.eu

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European Agency for Safety and health at Work

Agency that identifies, analyses, and shares good practices, scientific research and statistics to promote a risk prevention culture and make workplaces safer.

Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain

Press contact: Birgit MÜLLER
Tel: +34 94 479 35 52
Fax: +34 94 479 43 83
Email:  muller@osha.europa.eu

In Brussels: Brenda O’BRIEN
Tel: +32 (0)2 401 68 59
Fax: +32 (0)2 401 68 68
Website: www.osha.europa.eu

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European Foundation for the Improvement of living and Working Conditions

European Union body set up to contribute to the planning and design of better living and working conditions in Europe.

Wayttville Road, Loughlinstown, Dublin 18, Ireland

Press contact: Mans MARTENSSON
Tel: +353 12 04 31 24
Fax: +353 12 02 42 09
Email: mma@eurofound.europa.eu
Website: www.eurofound.ie

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EUROPOL

European Law Enforcement Agency aiming at improving the co–operation of the competent authorities in the Member States in preventing and combating terrorism, drug trafficking and other forms of organised crime.

PO Box 90850 - NL-2509 LW The Hague - Netherlands

Press contact: Soren Kragh PEDERSEN
Tel: +31 70 30 25 118
Email: soren.pedersen@europol.europa.eu
Website: www.europol.europa.eu

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European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

EU’s agency that works to ensure that fundamental rights of people living in the EU are protected.

Schwarzenbergplatz 11, AT-1040 Vienna, Austria

Press contact: Andreas ACCARDO
Tel: +43 1 58 03 06 33
Fax: +43 1 58 03 06 93
Email: andreas.accardo@fra.europa.eu
Website: www.eumc.europa.eu

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Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs)

Non-profit making European agency in charge of the management of the Community Trade Mark and Community Design registration systems.

Avenida de Europa 4, E-03008 Alicante, Spain

Press contact: Sabina VEIE
Tel: +34 965 13 90 75
Fax: +34 965 13 13 44
Email:  information@oami.europa.eu
Website: www.oami.europa.eu

The European Parliament, the Commission and the Council of the European Union constitute the “institutional triangle” that shapes up policies and adopts the legislative instruments applied in the EU. Although they provide the majority of raw news material for journalists, there are other non-political EU institutions of note.

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The Court of Justice

Institution that makes sure that EU legislation is interpreted and applied in the same way in all EU countries.

Rue du Fort Niedergrünewald, L-2925 Luxembourg

Head of Press Service: Juan Carlos GONZÁLEZ ÁLVAREZ

Tel: +352 4303 2623 / 2035
Fax: +352 4303 2500
Website: www.curia.europa.eu

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The European Central Bank

Central bank for Europe’s single currency, the euro. The Bank’s main task is to maintain the euro’s purchasing power and thus price stability in the euro area.

Kaiserstrasse 29, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Director of Communication: Elisabeth ARDAILLON-POIRIER
Email: elisabeth.ardaillon-poirier@ecb.int

Head of Press and Information Division: Regina Karoline SCHÜLLER
Tel: +49 69 1344 7457
Email: regina.schuller@ecb.int
Website: www.ecb.int

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European Court of Auditors

Institution in charge of the audit of EU finances.

Rue Alcide De Gasperi 12, 1615 Luxembourg

Press contact: Michel BULZ
Tel: +352 4398 45410
Fax: +352 4398 46233
Email: press@eca.europa.eu
Website: www.eca.europa.eu

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European Economic and Social Committee  

Consultative body of the EU that provides expert advice to the major EU Institutions.

Rue Belliard, 99, B-1040 Brussels

Press contact: Barbara GESSLER
Tel: +32 (0)2 546 80 66
Fax: +32 (0)2 546 97 64
Email: barbara.gessler@eesc.europa.eu
Website: www.eesc.europa.eu

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Committee of the Regions

Political assembly that provides the regional and local levels with a voice in EU policy development and EU legislation.

Rue Belliard 99-101, B - 1040 Brussels

Director of Press and Communication: Laurent THIEULE
Tel: +32 (0)2 282 21 99
Fax: + 32 (0)2 282 20 85

Head of Unit Press Team: Christian GSODAM
Tel: +32 (0)2 282 2121
Fax: +32 (0)2 282 21 0
Website: www.cor.europa.eu

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European Investment Bank

EU’s financing institution that provides long-term finance in support of investment projects.

Boulevard Konrad Adenauer 98-100, L-2950 Luxembourg

Press Officer in Luxembourg: Sabine PARISSE
Tel: +352 79 833 40
Fax: +352 4379 6130
Email: s.parisse@eib.org

Press Officer in Brussels: Nicholas ANTONOVICS
Tel: +32 (0)2 235 00 84
Fax: +32 (0)2 23 50 827
Email:  n.antonovics@eib.org
Website: www.eib.org

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European Ombudsman

Body to which citizens, businesses and other organisations throughout Europe can turn to lodge a complaint against the EU institutions and bodies.

Avenue du Président Robert Schuman 1, CS 30403, F-67001 Strasbourg Cedex

Press contact: Gundi GADESMANN
Tel: +32 (0)2 284 26 09
Fax: +32 (0)2 284 49 14
Email: gundi.gadesmann@ombudsman.europa.eu
Website: www.ombudsman.europa.eu/start.faces

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OLAF-European Anti-Fraud Office

Institution in charge of strengthening the means of fraud prevention.

Rue Joseph II, 30, 1000 Brussels

Communication, PR and Spokesman Unit
Tel: +32 (0)2 299 54 10
Fax: +32 (0)2 299 81 01
Website: ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud

The Council of the European Union, often seen as the most powerful of the Union’s three major institutions, brings together the governments of the 27 EU Member States. 

The European Council (which is composed of the heads of state or government of the European Union and the president of the Commission) is the driving force behind the European Union, setting its course and its political priorities.

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Council

Media contact with the Council occurs mainly on the occasion of ministerial meetings: background briefings and documents are provided before these meetings, flash press releases and Council conclusions are issued during them, and they are followed by a press conference.

The Council press office is also available for background information about Council preparations, which occurs notably in the weekly meetings of Coreper 2, the forum for national permanent representatives or Coreper 1 for their deputies. There are no regular daily briefings by the Council's press officers, although briefings are always given before a ministerial meeting, and technical or thematic background briefings are also frequently scheduled. 

The pre-Council briefings are usually given by the six-monthly rotating Council presidency supported by the Council Secretariat. The spokespersons for the presidency are also important contacts.

It is up to the rotating presidencies to hold regular briefings with the press, to present meetings of ministers and illustrate specific points to be decided by the ministers themselves. A programme with all the Council of the EU’s meetings, formal or informal ones, is published on the presidency website every six months. (The website address is http://www.eu + current year + the initials of the country holding the Presidency. e.g. in 2010: http://www.eu2010.hu).

For a one-stop-shop on finding out what is happening in the Council, its press service is a good place to start. However, the head of the press service does not speak in the name of the institution (unlike the official Commission spokesperson). 

Rotating Presidencies

The presidency of the Council changes twice a year: on January 1st and July 1st. During its six-month term, the presidency chairs Council meetings in all configurations except for the "Foreign Affairs" Council, which is chaired by the High Representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy.

Informal ministerial meetings are held in the country holding the presidency, providing an opportunity for reporters based outside Brussels and notably in the country of the presidency to report on European issues. The next presidencies are:

Upcoming presidencies

• 2012:  Cyprus  (July-December)

• 2013:  Ireland (January-June) & Lithuania (July-December)

• 2014:  Greece (January-June) & Italy (July-December)


National Permanent representations also organise meetings for their country’s media, which can be open to media from other countries. Their press officers can be contacted for information about the respective national positions. 
 

Midday press briefing

The Commission runs a daily midday briefing for members of the Brussels media corps and other press temporarily in Brussels. It is held in the press room of the Berlaymont building, the Commission’s headquarters. The languages used every day are English and French.

For about half an hour the chief spokesperson and other Commission spokespeople provide short introductions to the latest proposals and then answer questions. This is sometimes followed by a series of more technical briefings on specific pieces of legislation. Commissioners themselves do not take part in the midday briefing unless a major proposal is to be announced. On that occasion, interpreatation into the 23 EU official languages is provided.

The spokespeople are the only officials, apart from Commissioners and Directors-General (of Commission departments), entitled to speak on the record on behalf of the institution. Civil servants working in the Commission’s Directorates-General (DGs) are not supposed to speak to the press. Nevertheless, once a working relationship has been established with an official, he or she can often be mentioned ‘off the record’ and can, in any case, offer valuable background information.

To see the list of the Spokesperson''s Service, click here

Accredited journalists to the EU institutions can attend the Commission briefings by showing their press passes. Non-accredited or visiting journalists holding a national press card can access the press room by reporting to the Berlaymont reception desk and showing their IDs and press cards. If in doubt, e-mail press-pressroom-team@ec.europa.eu or fax or telephone the press room team before arriving at the Commission headquarters.

For journalists not based in Brussels, the daily briefing can also be followed through:
- Europe by Satellite (EbS): a live streaming of the daily briefing. It also covers sessions of the European Parliament and some Council of Ministers press conferences. TV companies can obtain live feeds and stock shots of events from EbS free of charge.

- EU Press Room:  the Commission’s virtual press room posts press releases and background material less than an hour after they are given to journalists in the Berlaymont building.

Audio-visual services

The Commission also runs an audio-visual service, a virtual media library stocked with real time audio-visual news coverage and historical and audio-visual material dating back to the 1940s. This material is free of charge for educational purposes and for broadcasters, news agencies, written press, and anyone wishing to spread information on the activities of the European Union.

The audio-visual service can be of great help for audio-visual reporters covering the EU on the spot. Two TV and two radio studios are available.

The European Parliament is the most accessible of the EU’s main institutions. Most of its meetings are held in public and MEPs are usually happy to speak on the record. The European Parliament has a well-equipped press room both in Brussels and Strasbourg that can be used by reporters.

Its plenary sessions are held in Strasbourg, however, the bulk of the EP’s activities and all the committee meetings take place in Brussels. Additionally, mini-sessions are held in Brussels at regular intervals (Wednesday afternoons and Thursdays only)

The Parliament’s press service is at times patchy. Live broadcasts of most plenary sessions on EbS (Europe by Satellite) have made the task of covering the assembly easier. There are also tentative plans to provide live web-streaming of committee meetings for journalists interested in covering legislation in depth.

The creation of its own (four) television channels is designed to increase information and communication regarding the Parliament’s activities. While journalists’ organisations have welcomed efforts to increase the information available, they have also raised concerns about the fact that the Parliament has begun producing ‘ready-made’ programmes in competition with traditional media, while not offering sufficient guarantees on editorial independence.

The Parliament has no daily briefing but it does organise a pre-session press conference in its Brussels headquarters at 11.00 on the Friday before the monthly meetings in Strasbourg. There is also a final briefing half an hour before the start of the Strasbourg session. Furthermore, there is a ‘last-minute’ press briefing held in Strasbourg at 16.00 – half an hour before the start of the sitting – on the Monday of each session week.

A full list of MEPs and the committees they sit on can be found by visiting the Parliament’s website. Journalists often forget that MEPs are their own best spokespeople. Some are highly knowledgeable, most are able to speak in sound bites and all are desperate to be quoted on the record. However, if you cannot get a response from a politician, try one of the Parliament’s press officers. They are an excellent source if you need clarification on the details of legislation. The MEPs’ assistants can provide useful background material and information as well.

For big-picture issues, contact the European Parliament Spokesperson or one of the Press Officers. There are press officers for each of the 23 official languages of the EU, a press service for the different political groups and press officers responsible for various EP committees.

Spokesperson of the EP President: Robert GOLÁNSKI
Tel: +32 (0)2 284 16 01
Email: robert.golanksi@europarl.europa.eu

Press officer of the EP President: Richard FREEMAN
Tel: +32 (0)2 284 14 48
Email: richard.freeman@europarl.europa.eu

In any given day there is rarely a lack of story ideas concerning the European Union, not only in Brussels but elsewhere in any of its 27 members. The large amount of information the European Institutions disseminate every day can make reporting Brussels a difficult task, especially for journalists who are not based in the so called capital of Europe.

For this reason J@YS, in co-operation with the European Institutions, has produced the handy pocketbook ‘Reporting Brussels - Information sources and tools for journalists’. Now in its sixth edition, this pocketbook guide includes a wealth of information and contacts, plus brief descriptions of the main EU institutions, EU agencies and some of the most relevant NGOs, international and Belgian organisations, media and lobby groups.

This free-of-charge handbook is available from our office at Residence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi, Block C 2252, 1040 Brussels, and can also be downloaded as an electronic pdf file directly from this website.

The Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force on December 1, 2009, has modified the EU’s structure. It has increased the number of areas where the European Parliament shares decision-making with the Council of the European Union. It has also increased the role of national parliaments, which will have more opportunities to provide a direct input into EU decision-making. This is due to a new early-warning system that will allow national parliaments to comment on draft laws and to check that the so-called subsidiary principle is adhered to. This assures that the EU does not pass legislation on matters that would be better dealt with nationally.

The impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the Council of the European Union will lead to more extensive use of qualified majority voting in areas where unanimity has otherwise been required. Starting in 2014, votes made in the Council will need the support from 55% of the Member States, representing at least 65% of the European population. In order to transition certain policy areas from unanimity to majority voting, every Member State will have to agree. National parliaments have the right to veto this change.

The role of the European Commission has also been somewhat modified by the Lisbon Treaty. The separation of powers among the three main EU institutions has become less rigorous. The Council of the European Union now has a High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy – Catherine Ashton. The former British EU Commissioner for Trade is also Vice President of the European Commission, in charge of the foreign policy portfolio of the European Executive and will head a 3,000-strong EU diplomatic service.

Under the Lisbon Treaty, the European Council, which is made up by the Heads of State and governments of the EU27 has additionally elected former Belgian Prime Minister Hermann Van Rompuy as its own president, for a maximum term of five years. His time in office began on 1 January 1, 2010.

For further information on the new Lisbon Treaty, click here

Brussels is arguably the largest international media centre in the world. However, the number of foreign journalists in Brussels has recently declined from previous levels of around 1400. This is mainly due to the difficulties facing the media industry, in Belgium and beyond. Much information is now readily available on the web.

A number of media editors believe that European affairs can be covered just as well from their national desks. Or else they think that EU affairs are too complex or irrelevant for their users. Some media organisations now seem reluctant to keep their correspondents in Brussels. Apart from covering European affairs and NATO, many journalists based in Brussels also report on developments in Belgium, the Netherlands and other European countries.

Journalists @ Your Service (J@YS)  is convinced that the value of every journalist working in Brussels justifies each respective media’s investment. There is an undeniable wealth and variety of first-hand information and contacts that the working journalist can gather here. Brussels therefore remains a magnet for one thousand journalists from all over the world accredited with the European Union (EU) institutions.

Whether working as employees or freelancers, most journalists in the capital of Europe come from the 27 EU Member States. But a new trend can now be seen, with an increasing number of journalists from beyond Europe – including Asia and the Middle East. This indicates that Europe is still considered an important point of reference, perhaps even more than before.

Briefing for newly-arrived journalists in Brussels

Journalist at Your Service (J@YS) is happy to announce the next briefing for newly-arrived journalists in Brussels.

When: 16 March 2012
Where: Résidence Palace, International Press Centre, Rue de la Loi, 155, J@YS room, 2nd floor

As a help-desk information for Brussels-based correspondents, every year J@YS reaches out to the newly arrived journalists to help them get started with their new professional careers as well as daily life in the capital.

Our briefing will include sessions with the spokespeople service of the three main EU institutions, NATO and with experts on daily life issues such as taxation and social security in Belgium.

Prominent speakers include:
Pia AHRENKILDE-HANSEN, Spokeswoman of the EC
Nikolas KERLEROUX, Head of the Press Office to the Council of the EU
Damien ARNAUD, Media Operations, NATO Press and Media Section

The programme will soon be available on the J@YS website.

For further information and confirmation of attendance, please contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)