BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. Taxi +32 (0) About Belgium

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM MMF Staff: Corinna Hörst, Deputy Director, Transatlantic Center Daniela Manca, Program Assistant, Transatlantic Center Transatlant...
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BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

MMF Staff:

Corinna Hörst, Deputy Director, Transatlantic Center Daniela Manca, Program Assistant, Transatlantic Center Transatlantic Center, German Marshall Fund of the US Résidence Palace Rue de la Loi 155 Wetstraat 1040 Brussels Belgium

Taxi

+32 (0)2 268 0000

About Belgium In brief…For such a small country, Belgium Full name: Kingdom of Belgium has been a major European battleground over Population: 10.3 million (UN, 2005) the centuries. Occupied by Germany during Capital: Brussels World Wars I and II, it has experienced an Area: 30,528 sq km (11,787 sq miles) economic boom in the last 50 years to become Major languages: Dutch, French, German a model Western European liberal democracy. Major religion: Christianity Brussels houses the headquarters of the Monetary unit: 1 euro = 100 cents European Union and the NATO. It is a federal Main exports: Machinery and electrical state consisting of three regions: Flanders in equipment, chemicals, vehicles, metals, the north where the official language is Dutch; diamonds Wallonia in the south where French is the GNI per capita: US $35,700 (World Bank, official language and Brussels, the capital, 2006) where French and Dutch share official Internet domain: .be language status. There is also a small GermanInternational dialing code: +32 speaking minority of some 70,000 in Wallonia. Belgium attracted international attention following the US-led war on Iraq in 2003 because of a controversial law empowering Belgian courts to try foreigners for war and human rights crimes, regardless of where the crimes were committed. The law led to suits against numerous high-profile international figures before undergoing radical revision. Belgium is noted for strong culinary traditions and is particularly famous for its fine chocolate and array of beers. Political Structure…Politics of Belgium takes place in a framework of a federal King: Albert II parliamentary representative democratic Prime minister: Guy Verhofstadt monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister of Foreign minister: Karel De Gucht Belgium is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi- party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives. The current king is King Albert II. Since 1999,Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt from the VLD (Flemish Liberals and Democrats) has led a six-party Liberal-Social Democrat-Greens coalition, often referred to as 'the rainbow government'. In the 2003 elections, Verhofstadt won a second term in office and has led a Liberal-Social Democrat coalition of four parties.

Policy Issues… Since Belgium is a member of the European Economic and Monetary Union, budgetary issues remain a key concern of the Verhofstadt government, particularly given the slow economic growth Belgium and most of Europe have experienced of late. Belgium's reaction to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks was strong and supportive. Belgium has played a key role in helping to obtain EU-wide agreement on a European arrest warrant and in facilitating extradition of terrorist suspects. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Belgium contributed a navy frigate in the Mediterranean, AWAC crews for surveillance flights over the United States, as well as aircraft for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Belgium continues to increase its counter-terrorism capabilities by adding domestic legislative, judicial, intelligence, and law enforcement tools that increase its ability to prevent or respond to terrorism. Foreign Relations… In 1948, Belgium signed the Treaty of Brussels with Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and a year later became one of the founding members of NATO. Belgium remains a strong proponent of both NATO and European defense efforts. Belgium also is a strong advocate of strengthening economic and political integration within the EU. Economy… Belgium, a highly developed market economy, belongs to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of leading industrialized democracies. With a geographic area about equal to that of Maryland, and a population of 10.4 million, Belgian per capita GDP ranks among the world’s highest. In 2005, the per capita income (PPP) was $35,749. The federal government has managed to present balanced budgets in recent years, but public debt remains high, at 94% at the end of 2005. GDP growth in 2005 is predicted to be 1.4%, slightly above the Euro-zone average.. Taxation… The corporation tax rate is 33.99% (24.98% for small companies). The standard rate of value-added tax (VAT) is 21%. The top rate of income tax was reduced to 50% in 2005. Foreign Trade… About 75% of Belgium's trade is with fellow EU member states. Given this high percentage, Belgium seeks to diversify and expand trade opportunities with non-EC countries. Belgium ranks as the 11th-largest market for the export of U.S. goods and services. If goods in transit to other European countries are excluded, Belgium ranks as the 12th-largest market for U.S. goods. Belgian-U.S. Relations…The United States and Belgium are good friends and allies, despite occasional disagreements on a limited number of foreign policy issues. The U.S. appreciates Belgian activism in international affairs including its participation in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, its reconstruction and development assistance to Iraq, its peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, its frequent provision of airlift in international crises, and its hosting of a 2005 transatlantic dialogue between European foreign ministers and the Secretary of State. During the January 17, 2006 visit by Prime Minister Verhofstadt, President Bush thanked him for his "leadership" in helping "the people of the Congo realize their full potential." The U.S. continues to believe that Belgium could be even more active in sharing the international security burden. Excerpts are taken from BBC news & US Department of State

About Brussels Brussels is the ultimate European city. As the headquarters to the EU (European Union) and NATO it is often referred to as The Capital of Europe. It is an international metropolis – a mosaic of languages, cultures, and traditions. Aside from the splendid and varied architectural styles of the city, Brussels also hosts over 80 museums, numerous tourist attractions, a vibrant nightlife, and more restaurants than you could count. The starting point for any visit to Brussels is the Grand Place which was built as a merchant’s market in the 13th century. It serves as the center of the city and hosts numerous concerts and festivals including the Ommegang pageant held every July. Shopping in the distinctive fashion boutiques, lingering over a delicious lunch in a bistro or a top restaurant, people watching from a street cafe, or picking up a unique antique on the Sablon - Brussels is a city you can call your own.

Wednesday, March 28 10:30 AM

CHEN, JONES, MERRITT, SAMATAR, WEBBER Arrival at Brussels International Airport

11:30 AM

CUNNINGHAM, FLODSTROM, HACKL, HALL, HEINONEN, TUROFF Arrival at Brussels International Airport

3:45 PM

DANIEL, MATHENY, REDDY, RUIZ Arrival at Brussels International Airport

4:25 PM

EVANS, KACKMANN Arrival at Brussels International Airport

ALL FELLOWS

A driver will pick you up at the airport by holding a GMF sign

FREE TIME 5:30 PM

MEET GMF-BRUSSELS STAFF IN THE HOTEL BAR (LA BRASSERIE)

6:00 PM Dress: casual

INTRODUCTION TO THE BRUSSELS PROGRAM Hotel Leopold, Bar All Fellows

7:30 PM Dress: business

COCKTAIL AND WELCOME DINNER WITH GMF STAFF AND GUESTS Guest speaker: Ronald Asmus, Executive Director, GMF-Brussels Hotel Leopold, La Terrace

Thursday, March 29 7:30 AM

8:00-09:00 AM

MEET WITH GMF STAFF IN THE HOTEL LOBBY. We will walk together to the European Parliament WORKING BREAKFAST WITH MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON “INTRODUCTION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: THE CHALLENGE OF COMMUNICATING EUROPE TO CITIZENS”

The European Parliament is the only supranational institution whose members are democratically elected by direct universal suffrage. There are 785 members, elected every five years in 27 member states, who are involved in drafting numerous laws (directives, regulations etc.) that affect the daily life of every citizen. 9:15 AM

VISIT OF THE EU INFORMATION SHOP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

9:30 AM

WALK WITH GMF STAFF TO GMF OFFICE

10:15 AM-12:00 PM

MEETING WITH THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION GMF office Résidence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi B-1040 Brussels T: +32 (0)2 238 5270 The Council of the European Union is the institution which represents the 27 Member States within the Union’s decision-making structure. Holding a dual role, the Council acts as a supranational body when dealing with Community issues and as an intergovernmental institution when foreign policy, security and justice, and home affairs are being discussed. This duality reflects the political nature of the Council and contrasts with the Commission which acts as an impartial body.

1:00 PM

LUNCH ON ‘LOBBYING THE EU: A REGIONAL APPROACH’ Location: TBD AFTERNOON FREE FOR INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS

8:00 PM

HOMESTAYS 2 fellows hosted by Nickolaus Boemcke, retired Secretary General, Banking Federation of the European Union (MMF, 1982) 2/3 fellows with Filip Kaczmarek, Member of the European Parliament (MMF ,1996) (restaurant tbd) 3/4 fellows hosted by Eleftherios Stavropoulos, Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU (MMF, 2003)

Friday, March 30 8:45 AM

MEET WITH GMF STAFF IN THE HOTEL LOBBY.

9:00 AM

DEPARTURE BY BUS FROM THE RÉSIDENCE PALACE TO NATO HEADQUARTER The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an alliance of 26 countries from North America and Europe committed to fulfilling the goals of the North Atlantic treaty signed on 4 April 1949. The fundamental role of NATO is to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means. To this purpose, NATO provides a forum in which the United States, Canada and European countries can consult together on security issues of common concern and take joint action in addressing them. NATO is also committed to defending its member states against aggression or the threat of aggression and to the principle that an attack against one of its members would be considered an attack against all. Dialogue and co-operation with non-NATO countries finally help to overcome the divisions of the Cold War era and to extend the security and stability well beyond NATO borders.

9:30 AM

ARRIVAL – MEET WITH JAMES SNYDER, U.S. INFORMATION OFFICER

10:00 AM

WELCOME BRIEFING BY AMBASSADOR VICTORIA NULAND, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES TO NATO ON “INTRODUCTION TO NATO’S POLITICAL AGENDA”

11:15 AM

BRIEFING BY NATO INTERNATIONAL STAFF ON NATO OPERATIONS

12:30 PM

LUNCH AT NATO WITH INTERNATIONAL STAFF

2:30 PM

DEPART NATO BY BUS TO THE GMF-OFFICE, RÉSIDENCE PALACE

3:15 – 4:15 PM

MEETING WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON “ENLARGEMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD: THE TURKISH DILEMMA”

GMF office Résidence Palace, 155 Rue de la Loi B-1040 Brussels T : +32 (0)2 238 5270 REST OF THE AFTERNOON FREE FOR INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS 8:00 PM

HOMESTAYS 2/3 fellows hosted by Luca di Preso, European Parliament (MMF 2002) 2 fellows hosted by Bart Dirks, EU & NATO Correspondent, de Volkstrant (MMF 2004) 2/3 fellows hosted by Jakob Nielsen, Freelance Journalist (MMF 1987)

Saturday, March 31 FREE TIME FOR SHOPPING, TOURIST OR CULTURAL ACTIVITIES 5:00-6:30 PM

MEETING GMF-STAFF FOR WRAP-UP SESSION LOCATION: HOTEL LEOPOLD-BRASSERIE

7:00 PM Informal

GMF STAFF WILL WALK WITH YOU TO A RESTAURANT FOR FAREWELL DINNER

Sunday, April 1 8:00 AM

RUIZ, TUROFF, HALL, KACKMANN: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE AT 9:55 AND 10:10

9:00 AM

HACKL, SAMATAR: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE AT 10:50

9:30 AM

FLODSTROM, JONES: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT BY TAXI FOR 11:25 AM

10:00 AM

DANIEL, EVANS, MATHENEY: TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT FOR 12:10 PM DEPARTURE

ALL FELLOWS

we will have the hotel call a taxi for you