Various country leaders will be in Brussels for the EU-Western Balkans summit on Wednesday and the "regular" EU summit on Thursday. This will lead to some traffic disruption in the European Quarter.
Two key summits are taking place in the European capital in the coming days. On Wednesday, EU and Western Balkans leaders will meet to discuss their future relationship, how to enhance the EU-Western Balkans integration, cooperation in migration management and the fight against organised crime. On Thursday, EU leaders will be meeting as part of the European Council.
"On the 18 and 19 December, a European summit will be organised in the buildings of the European Council, Rue de la Loi 165," the City of Brussels/Ixelles police wrote. "As during the previous summits, the City of Brussels Mayor and police will minimise disruptions in your neighbourhood whilst guaranteeing the security of heads of state and citizens."
A safety zone will be established around the buildings. This 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. It will be closed off from 15:00 on Wednesday and all day Thursday.
Credit: City of Brussels/Ixelles police
Only authorised people can enter this zone on foot, while residents and people working in the area will have to show their access badge and identity card. "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."
The police shared a map of the surrounding streets and whether they will be completely closed off, or accessible with or without an exemption badge. In the neighbouring streets, parking will be prohibited.
Disruption of traffic and public transport
The Reyers-centre tunnel will be closed from 14:00 on Wednesday 18 December.
Public transport operator STIB noted that the Schuman metro station at the heart of the EU institutions will remain open. Access via Rue Froissart, Rue Archimède and the Schuman roundabout will be closed from 14:00 on Wednesday at until Thursday, however.
🇪🇺 Sommet européen
📅 Du mercredi 18 au jeudi 19 décembre 2024 🚇 La station de métro Schuman reste ouverte. 🚌 Les lignes de bus 59, 60 et 80 sont déviées localement autour de la place Jourdan, les lignes de bus 27 (direction Luxembourg) et 36 (direction Maelbeek) autour de… pic.twitter.com/9JA5OKULud — STIB-MIVB (@STIBMIVB) December 18, 2024
Translation: "European Summit from Wednesday 18 to Thursday 19 December 2024. Schuman metro station will remain open. Bus routes 59, 60 and 80 will be diverted locally around Place Jourdan, and bus routes 27 (towards Luxembourg) and 36 (towards Maelbeek) around the Froissart stop."
Bus routes 59, 60 and 80 will be diverted locally around Place Jourdan, and bus routes 27 (towards Luxembourg) and 36 (towards Maelbeek) will be diverted around the Froissart stop.
