http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/ The Brussels Connection was set up by a group of friends working in EU affairs. The intention is to exchange information, knowledge and experience to improve our business skills. nl-be 06, 6 Sep 2010 04:32:53 CEST copyright The Brussels Connection 2008 http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/ 20 http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/img/header.gif http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/ Besides collector cars which have sold extremely well and at high prices during this economic downturn, original editions of comic strips are also excellent investment items as they gain value over time. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=779&root=73 04, 4 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CEST Feeling great! The recently approved Directive 2010/41/EU on self-employed workers and assisting spouses entered into force on 4 August. For the first time, it grants a minimum 14-weeks long maternity leave and allowance to self-employed workers and a right to social security and pension to the assisting spouses or life partners (as recognised in national law). http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=781&root=73 04, 4 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CEST A People's Europe? How often have you ordered books on Amazon, or the Book Depository, because it is so easy, quick and cheaper than in a bookshop? You do it, I do it, we all do it... http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=782&root=73 04, 4 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CEST Arts and Culture I recently landed on an extremely interesting website called the Project Syndicate – A World of Ideas, while searching for an article by Professor Stiglitz. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=777&root=73 02, 2 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CEST Improve your skills The World Heritage Committee has inscribed the Amsterdam canal district on the list of World Heritage buildings and sites at its meeting on 31 July. This follows discussions in the Municipal Council about whether it really is wise to accept such a listing, as it comes with the obligation to protect and maintain the district in its original layout, thereby ruling out any future modernization of this part of the town. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=778&root=73 02, 2 Aug 2010 00:00:00 CEST Arts and Culture Inception is an excellent thriller, with unique and amazing architectural realisations (only in your dreams of course) lots of action and a little dash of romance and emotion. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=776&root=73 31, 31 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST Cinema On 20 July, the Commission published plans to reduce the number of road deaths on Europe's roads by half in the next 10 years. Initiatives proposed in a set of European Road Safety Policy Orientations 2011-2020 range from setting higher standards for vehicle safety, to improving the training of road users, and increasing the enforcement of road rules. The Commission will work closely with Member States to implement this programme. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=780&root=73 29, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST A People's Europe? Dear Friends and Colleagues, You may have noticed how some article categories are being moved around and how articles change places. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=770&root=73 28, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST A People's Europe? Since 1 January 2010, Eurostat says that the total population of the EU 27 has reached 501.1 million, compared to the 499.7 million we were in January 2009. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=773&root=73 27, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST A People's Europe? The General Affairs Council decided on Monday 26 July to officially start EU accession negotiations with Iceland. This should take around a year and allow Iceland to formally join in 2012. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=769&root=73 26, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST A People's Europe? Following this year’s most unpleasant (and costly) discovery of the true financial situation in which Greece found itself, member states decided to put an end to the lack of financial disclosure by increasing the powers of Eurostat in verifying whether data submitted by a member state is reliable, complete and consistent, in the case of excessive deficits. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=774&root=73 26, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST A People's Europe? Until 28 August 2010, the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée in Brussels is hosting an exhibition on the Moomin cartoon characters, imagined by Finnish artist Tove Jansson. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=766&root=73 25, 25 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST Arts and Culture The Brussels’ rose-ringed parakeet population has grown to reach some 10,000 individuals, said Olivier Beck from the Brussels’ Institute for Environmental Protection, in La Capitale. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=768&root=73 24, 24 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST Brussels uncovered On 22 July, the largest EU and US companies representing the aerospace industry met to discuss safety issues related to flying through clouds of volcanic ashes, such as those from the Eyjafjallajökull glacier in Iceland, which blocked the EU airspace three months ago, leading to a total mayhem of stranded passengers and airline revenue losses of over $ 1.7 billion. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=767&root=73 22, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST The Green Planet Both the EU Parliament and the Commission have created a free legislative “online tracker”, which allows you to follow step by step the evolution of a piece of draft legislation through the legislative process. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=771&root=73 20, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST How EU law is made Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz lambasts the financial sector and warns world governments wishing to reduce their deficits not to do so indiscriminately. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=775&root=73 20, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST A People's Europe? Have you ever been searching desperately for the right contact in one of the EU institutions? This public website will help you find the person you are looking for. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=761&root=73 19, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST About the EU institutions The E-Justice portal went live on 16 July during the informal Justice & Home Affairs Council in the presence of Diana Wallis, Vice President of the European Parliament, Stefaan De Clerck, Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Belgium Presiding the Council, and Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=772&root=73 16, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST How EU law is made Last year's highly successful "drive in" cinema, suffering from the economic crisis has not been able to open this summer. The organisers apologize and promise to be back in summer 2011! http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=742&root=73 01, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST Cinema The young couple who has taken over "Le Galoubet" in 2009 have made this restaurant an excellent place to enjoy refined food in a lovely setting. It has a nice covered terrace and a large inside wood-paneled dining room. http://www.thebrusselsconnection.be/tbc/index2.php?page=detail&id=765&root=73 01, 1 Jul 2010 00:00:00 CEST Restaurant reviews