Brussels, 28/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Although the municipality of Antwerp decided on Monday 25 February to make any foreigner - including EU nationals - wanting to live in Antwerp pay a tax of €250, the European Commission reiterated on 28 February that European law is opposed to any discrimination on the basis of nationality and that Belgian law should be examined to see if it respects this principle. The Commission recalls that the 2004 directive on free movement obliges all documents relating to residency to be provided to European citizens free of charge or at a cost of no more than that charged to the country's nationals. Without specifically taking a stance on the Antwerp situation, the Commission points out that since taking up her post, European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Viviane Reding has always worked to abolish unjustified barriers to free movement, and that over 700 infringement procedures relating to free movement have been settled since 2010.
On Monday, the Antwerp town council approved a payment regulation for new arrivals from abroad. The town will therefore impose payment of an amount of €250 (as opposed to €17 previously) on any foreign national wanting to register with the town administration. Several municipal opposition parties have announced that they will appeal to the State Council against this decision. (SP/transl.fl)