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Discover the institutions |
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The European Institutions
The institutions of the European Union and its satellite organisations in Brussels occupy 3.5 million m² of office space out of a total of 12 million, most of which is located in the European district.
The European officials and the people working in the satellite organisations (lobby organisations, multinationals, press, regional representations, etc.) add up to around 55,000 people.
In 1957, Brussels made the first 200 offices available to the European institutions in rue Belliard, and this number more than doubled the next year.
Today, all the political organs of the European Union are represented in Brussels:
The European Parliament at the Caprice des Dieux site, which hosts MEPs three weeks out of four for additional plenary sessions and for meetings of the parliamentary committees and political groups.
The Council, consisting of representatives of governments of the 25 Member States, which is based at the Juste Lipse building that houses the 2500 officials which make up its Secretariat General.
The European Commission, the driving force behind the European integration process, in view of its right of initiative in terms of European legislation and its role as guardian of the Treaties, which moved back into the Berlaymont builiding in Autumn 2004. There are many other buildings housing its services.
The Economic and Social Committee which represents the European social partners, and which has moved into its new offices in rue Belliard.
The Committee of the Regions which is the voice of the regions on the European stage, which shares offices with the Economic and Social Committee.
| The European Institutions in Brussels
 The European Parliament (Spaak and Spinelli)
Commonly known as the “Caprice des Dieux” (whim of the gods) by many of Brussels’ inhabitants, this is the biggest European authority on Brussels soil. No less than 372 000 m2 of office space is provided here to accommodate the MEPs and officials from the 25 countries making up the EU. Audio-guided tours: Monday to Thursday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Friday at 10 a.m.
For info on the guided tours: click here |
 The European Commission ( Berlaymont)
The Berlaymont was the first European edifice to be built in Brussels in the sixties. Now, it is heading in a new direction following extensive and lengthy works. The new building, which now has fully removable structural elements, is home to some of the officials of the European Commission.
Tours on written request, from Monday to Friday, for groups only (min.15 people, booked 2 months in advance.) Tel.: (0)2 299 23 18 |
 The European Commission (Charlemagne building)This glass building houses many of the organs of the European Commission including those responsible for enlargement, interpreting and trade as well as advisers. |
 The European Commission (Madou tower)The newest of the buildings housing European institutions in Brussels stands close to the centre on Place Madou, the Tower of which was fully renovated in 2005. The Commission moved in there in 2006; it brings together COMM and DIGIT (Information Technology) as well as the Intelligent Energy Executive Agency (IEEA).
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 The Council of the European Union (Juste Lipse)
The imposing framework of this edifice that stands opposite the Berlaymont is home to the Council of the European Union, better known by the name of Council of Ministers. This Council is a legislative body of the European Union, not to be confused with the European Council, better known by the name of European Summit, which gathers the Heads of State together 3 or 4 times a year.
(c) European Community 2006 |
 The EESC and the CoR (Delors)
Situated at the very end of Rue Belliard at the junction with Rue Wiertz, the seat of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) was christened the "Jacques Delors Building" in September 2006.
Tours are organised for groups, subject to booking at least 3 weeks in advance. Contact Ms Chique on +32.2.546.81.82
Virtual tour: click here |
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