Destination Europe The European Union (EU) is the result of a process of co-operation and integration which began in 1951. The main objectives of the EU are to introduce the concept of European citizenship, which carries with it a number of civil and political rights for European citizens and to develop an atmosphere of freedom, security and justice. The EU also encourages the development of the international market and the freedom of movement of people. In 1999, 29 countries in Europe signed the Bologna Declaration. One of the primary purposes of this declaration is to encourage and facilitate mobility between higher education systems and institutions in Europe. Belgium: 2 cultures, 3 languages Belgium consists of 2 main parts: the northern part Flanders (Vlaanderen) and the southern part Wallonia. Although Belgium is a small country, 3 languages are spoken here. There is no such language as ‘Belgian’. The Flemish people in the north of Belgium speak Dutch, while the Walloons in the south speak French. In the eastern part of the country there is a small German-speaking population. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is officially bilingual (Dutch and French). It should be pointed out that the inhabitants of the Netherlands also speak Dutch. Surrounded by three numerically stronger languages, i.e. French, German and English, 21 million people who live in the Netherlands and Flanders share a common language - Dutch - which is the sixth most important language in the European Union. more Flanders and the province of Antwerp In the north of Belgium, Flanders is set in a flat landscape. The historical name, the ‘Low Countries’ reflects the geography of the area occupied by Flanders and the Netherlands. The proximity of Flanders to the North Sea means that it has a temperate climate with mild winters and cool summers. The province of Antwerp is one of 5 Flemish provinces. It is situated between Limburg in the east, West- and East-Flanders to the west, and Flemish-Brabant to the south. With a population of more than 1.6 million, the province covers roughly 16% of the entire population of Belgium. From a cultural point of view, the province of Antwerp is the most important Flemish region.  more The city of Antwerp Antwerp, a city with about half a million inhabitants, is of major importance to economic and cultural life in Flanders. The river Scheldt has played a fundamental role in the development of the city. The harbour of Antwerp is one of the largest in the world, and gives the city its international dimension. more