Belgian news in brief, 16 September 2005

Belgian to head EU defence

A Belgian has been named as the head of the pan-European defence force Eurocorps. News agency AFP reported that Belgian Major General Charles-Henri Delcour is taking over from French Lieutenant General Jean-Louis Py from 23 September. Eurocorps has been running since 1992 and many EU states, particularly France and German, want it to become a fully-fledged European army.

Adoption process ‘in chaos’

The implementation of Belgium’s new adoption law is a shambles, according to La Libre Belgique. The newspaper says although the new rules on adoption procedures were introduced from 1 September, family magistrates will only receive training on the changes from November. As a result, potential adoptive families are being badly informed.

Atomium work on course

Renovation work at Brussels’ famous landmark the Atomium is making swift progress, announced authorities on Friday. The last piece of stainless steel – replacing the old rusted aluminium – has been put in place, completing most of the outside work. The monument should reopen next year.

Subject: Belgian news