why is brussels in control of the EU? it seems to me as they are a relatively minor country within Europe, why is power handed over to them?

stupid....

well, the very capable weapons company Fabrique National are in belgium - they make the M240.

jupiler beer and leffe beer are also made in belgium. leffe is gorgeous! so sweet and caramelly.

but these probably arent reasons to give them power.

Brussels is the HQ for Nato, which already gives them a great deal of importance.  One should also remember that the roots of the current EU originate from the BENELUX agreements, where BElgium, the NEtherlands and LUXembourg agreed to have free trade and work together, since they were "Low Countries" that, despite declaring neutrality, were used as "back doors" to enter France.  It was from the BENELUX that France and West Germany, along with the BENELUX countries, founded the European Coal and Steel Community, which eventually evolved into the European Economic Community and then into the European Union.

For the BENELUX and ECSC, Belgium was geographically (and hence politically) at the centre of those two organisations.  It was therefore logical to have Belgium host the Headquarters of those organisations as well.

oh, and tintin is from belgium. herge, the author, was belgian.

Well it is really between France, Germany and Britain so it is better on "neutral" soil than on the soil of a big country.

But beside from this Belgium is not important.

Belgium has Antwerpen a big port-perhaps the only important thing.



"Es wird niemals so viel gelogen wie vor der Wahl, während des Krieges und nach der Jagd." Otto von Bismarck


Long live Nato and the EU and the Western world.

perhaps...why not switzerland? that would seem betetr to me. UK is insignificant. thewy are alrweady hesitating about JOINING the EU..

China will Overcome the West, somehow, somday, It will.

Hm Mao you lack some knowlegde about Europe or you wanna make fun of me?

Switzerland is not even in UN. They are neutral since several hundred years. I don´t think they will join EU or Nato.

So Belgium was a good choice.



"Es wird niemals so viel gelogen wie vor der Wahl, während des Krieges und nach der Jagd." Otto von Bismarck


Long live Nato and the EU and the Western world.

Hm Mao you lack some knowlegde about Europe or you wanna make fun of me?

Switzerland is not even in UN. They are neutral since several hundred years. I don´t think they will join EU or Nato.

So Belgium was a good choice.

I dont think so, Switzerland are not in EU or anything of the kind. they are MSART and keep temselves where they should, within their borders. this cannot be said with other countries.

I do not live in Europe, you are correct but you still have not explained clearly WHY Belgium are so important.



China will Overcome the West, somehow, somday, It will.

beacause it is small and has not much to say.
There is not much high tech industry- more factories and acriculture.

So they can start no trouble. And so Bruxxels is someway of neutral playground for the diplomats. More is not to say why.



"Es wird niemals so viel gelogen wie vor der Wahl, während des Krieges und nach der Jagd." Otto von Bismarck


Long live Nato and the EU and the Western world.

Belgium is "neutral" within the West but certainly NOT neutral in the world.  And the majority of German people speak English very well because English is a Germanic language.

They are all indo-euro languages, but German is COMPLETELY different from English.

One can speak german does not mean it is easy to learn english, not at all.

You have to have the HQ somewhere....im just glad it is in Europe and not the USA... Theres nothing to do with the economy or military industries in Belgium..

"UK is insignificant"

thats not correct, i think you'll find.

They are all indo-euro languages, but German is COMPLETELY different from English.

One can speak german does not mean it is easy to learn english, not at all.

As a linguist i have to disagree totally,

English belongs in the germanic branch of the Indo-European group for a reason.....English has obtained a significant number of words from german language,,,Before the arrival of greek and latin words in english ,,,german was the main contributor by almost 50%.....   

beacause it is small and has not much to say.
There is not much high tech industry- more factories and acriculture.

So they can start no trouble. And so Bruxxels is someway of neutral playground for the diplomats. More is not to say why.

____

Would it not be better to have no actual HQ and just put missions in every ****ry or city? also, why is the hague international crime court? why are they chosen?


Bndits at 2:00 clock!!
I'm Hit!
Youre lucky we cant afford the real planes...

mostly factories and agriculture? yes, i suppose britain IS still in the 18th century, the heyday of the industrial revolution.

what balls! have you seen the number of factories the UK has at the moment? and do you only believe the contents of childrens picture books, which depict every british man to be a hay-baling dorset farmer? no!

just as I am sure that NOT everyone in china wears a cone-shaped hat. do not believe the racial stereotypes untill you have looked into what people are actually employed in in the UK.

A HQ is necessary, the military has a huge behind the scenes with administration and all. NATO's HQ is where all the NATO Admin is done, with also special meetings and such, there needs to be a place of buisness just like any other buisness or branch of the government.