Let Britons working for EU in Brussels become Belgian citizens – Juncker
European Commission president says he hopes Belgian authorities show ‘generosity’ in the run-up to Brexit next year.
Belgium should consider granting nationality to Britons who work at the European Union’s executive arm, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said.
Some 917 British citizens work at the Commission, according to 2018 figures.
Some have lived in Belgium for years, have European pension plans and are concerned about their future after Britain leaves the bloc next March.
Many have applied for passports in Belgium or other EU countries.
He said of the British staff seeking Belgian nationality: “They deserve it.”
Addressing the Belgian leader and EU lawmakers, Mr Juncker said Mr Michel is a generous man and “I am sure and certain that he will take account of our wishes and our remarks”.
But recalling “the independence of the justice system” he noted that the Belgian courts are faced with contradictory rulings on how these citizenship applications should be handled.
Mr Michel said his government is looking into the issue from a legal point of view.
Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said later that Mr Juncker has sought to reassure British staff that they will not lose their jobs from next year.
Mr Juncker’s remarks to Mr Michel, she said, were an effort to “remind him of this process” in Belgium.
