The leaders of EU Member States will gather in Brussels on Monday for an "informal" meeting in the wake of the European elections. The police have warned people commuting in and to Brussels to expect traffic disruptions.
The meeting of the 27 leaders on Monday, which will take place in the Europa building in Brussels on Rue de la Loi, is not a regular European summit, but an informal gathering. Following the European Parliament elections, EU leaders are coming together in the Belgian capital to discuss the next institutional cycle, however, as the European Council is central in designating the next high-profile EU-level roles, this will also be on the agenda.
During the meeting, heads of state and government are expected to discuss the EU’s top jobs including the new President of the European Council and of the European Commission as well as appoint the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
In the run-up to the meeting, there were rumours that Council President Charles Michel wanted "revenge" on Commission President von der Leyen, following their difficult relationship over the past five years, by excluding her from the meeting, even though she is part of the European Council as Commission President.
However, it has now been confirmed von der Leyen will attend the informal meeting. The summit will begin with an exchange of views with European Parliament president Roberta Metsola, after which the leaders will discuss the European strategic agenda for the next legislature. When the outcome of the European elections and the distribution of top positions are being discussed, she will leave the room as she is a European People's Party (EPP) signatory candidate to succeed herself.
Streets and tunnels closed off
As is the case during the regular EU summits, several roads in the European Quarter will be closed off to pedestrians and cars on Monday, and public transport will be disrupted, the City of Brussels/ Ixelles police zone stated on social media.
Several security measures are being taken in the European Quarter in Brussels, specifically around the buildings of the EU Council buildings. Here, the police will set up a security perimeter, which will be closed from 16:00 on Monday afternoon.
📣🇪🇺Sommet européen à #Bruxelles le 17 juin 2024.
Le périmètre du quartier Schuman sera fermé à partir de 16h et fermeture du tunnel Reyers direction Centre à 15h. Des embarras de circulation sont à prévoir, nous vous conseillons de privilégier 🚲🛴🚌🚇#EuropeanSummit… pic.twitter.com/xDBZQXZLru — PolBru (@zpz_polbru) June 14, 2024
Translation: "European summit in Brussels on 17 June 2024. The perimeter in the Schuman neighbourhood will be closed from 4 pm and the Reyer Tunnel towards the city centre from 3 pm. Police warn that traffic disruption is to be expected. We advise you to travel by public transport or by bicycle or e-scooter."
The police shared a map of the surrounding streets and whether they will be completely closed off except for people with authorisation, accessible with an exemption badge or if local traffic can pass without a badge. Only people with authorisation will be allowed to enter the perimeter.
The security perimeter includes Schuman Square; Rue Froissart between numbers 101 and 143; Rue de la Loi, between Place Schuman and Residence Palace and between Schuman and Boulevard Charlemagne. "No deliveries will be possible, and no rubbish bags, bicycles or terraces may be placed on public roads within this security perimeter. For security reasons, all building windows must be closed."
In the neighbouring streets (rue Breydel, rue Archimède, avenue de Cortenbergh, avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée and avenue d’Auderghem), parking will be prohibited.
Additionally, the Reyers tunnel towards the Centre will be closed at 15:00. "Traffic congestion is to be expected," the police noted.
Buses diverted, Schuman metro entrances closed
Public transport operator STIB noted that the Schuman metro station at the heart of the EU institutions will remain open but that the access to rue Froissart, rue Archimède and the Schuman roundabout will be closed on Monday 17 June from 07:00.
Access numbers 4 (at Residence Palace) and 5 (Justus Lipsius) will be closed on Monday after 16:00, but the entrances to the Schuman SNCB railway station (Berlaymont side) will remain open. People with reduced mobility can access the station via Rue de la Loi.
STIB added that bus lines 59, 60 and 80 will be diverted locally around Place Jourdan, while bus lines 27 (towards Luxembourg) and 36 (towards Maelbeek) will be diverted around the Froissart stop.
