Brussels Trip

Continuing on the theme of travel, your correspondent, in his role as a 'union man,' spent a few days in Brussels/Bruxelles at the beginning of June. 

The aim of the trip was to learn more about the functioning (or according to some, malfunctioning) of the European Union. There were various meetings and lectures at the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European School, and the East Finland EU Office. 

The visit was effective in that I left with a better understanding of the logic behind the structure of the various institutions. The logic is impeccable. It would seem that the problem lies more with the practicalities of balancing the interests of all the parties involved, especially in  a world of propagandistic media manipulation. The latest example being the  (deliberate?) mistranslation of the words of the Finnish finance minister, Ms Jutta Urpilainen, by an AFP journalist (subsequently fired as this would appear to be not the first misdemeanour), which was picked up by the international media for further (deliberate?) minsinterpretation. Consider, for example, the contrast between the headline of the article from the eurosceptic British newspaper, The Telegraph and the contents. Maybe 'the markets,' the precise definition of who they actually are being somewhat nebulous, would be less nervous if they had a good understanding of languages other than English - every student knows that if in doubt, go to original sources. Mind you, if 'the markets' are worried about a statement made by the minister of an obscure, geographically isolated country with a mere six million inhabitants then they should seek medical help for their state of their paranoia.

The trip was not all work, there was some time for sight-seeing. Below, a few photos.

A rainy Atomium.

A rainy Grand Place.

Group sight-seeing in the rain.

 

My room-mate at the European Parliament.

 Evidence that I was there.

European Parliament building.

 Three smart colleagues.

The entrance to the Berlaymont building, home of the European Commission.

Grand Place at night.

 Grand Place at night.

Statue on Rue du Midi.

The statue is of a figure, Madam Chapeau (Mrs Hat) from a famous Belgian play. In the current circumstances, it would seem to be an apt symbol of poor citizens having to pay the price for the world's mighty financial industry's hubris.