Jersey office in heart of Brussels forced to close its doors

Tuesday 24 November 2015

The Channel Islands’ Brussels Office is closed over the threat of a terrorist attack on the city, after a series of raids on suspected Islamic extremists.

The team of three staff is staying clear of the centre after the Belgian government raised the security threat assessment for the city to its highest possible level, and effectively shut down potential terrorist targets including schools and the metro.

Like thousands of Brussels residents, they are working from home. The schools and the metro system are expected to reopen tomorrow as things return to normal across the country.

On Monday evening, the Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, said that the highest threat level would be maintained for a fourth day.

The Channel Islands Brussels Office opened in April 2011 to promote the interests of the Channel Islands in Europe, the Channel Islands to the EU institutions, and advising the governments of Guernsey and Jersey on EU policy issues. Its £800,000 annual cost is funded jointly by Jersey and Guernsey.

Steve Williams, the Director of the Channel Islands Brussels Office, said: “Clearly this is a difficult, tense and unprecedented time in Brussels. The threat level means that it is judged to be ‘serious and imminent’.

“This means that all schools in the city are closed, and the metro network is not operating. All non-essential meetings at the EU institutions have been cancelled. 

“Any residents of the Channel Islands that have travel to Brussels planned for this week should ensure that they keep up to date with the latest FCO Travel Advice and the latest advice of the Belgian authorities.”