The Brussels municipality of Etterbeek filed a report against the United States last week after construction began on their new embassy without a permit.
The municipality of Etterbeek in Brussels has called out unauthorised construction work on the site of the new US embassy. The future building is located near Mérode, at the site of the former Etterbeek railway station in the old ING headquarters. It is set for completion by 2030 and had been empty as of the end of March. The US administration began securing the site by installing concrete fencing embedded into the ground to prevent squatting.
This work was carried out without any consultation or authorisation from the commune. "As mayor, it's my job to ensure the law applies equally to everyone, and without a permit, that simply doesn't fly," Etterbeek Mayor Vincent De Wolf (MR) told Bruzz.
The site manager was issued a judicial report and an immediate order to halt the work. "It is unacceptable for security measures to be implemented without respecting urban planning regulations," read a notice displayed around the site.
On the American side, the report was not well received. While the works were indeed halted, the US administration filed for an interlocutory court order to resume construction as soon as possible. As the judge has yet to rule, the municipality and the global power ultimately settled the matter at the negotiating table.
"Fundamentally, we want the same thing," De Wolf said, adding that he has been urging for better security around the US embassy for several years. According to the mayor, Trump's arrival may have sparked the sudden undertaking of these works.
