​On Tuesday 30 January, members of the EA group attending the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions paid a visit to the Flemish Parliament upon invitation by EA group president Mr Karl Vanlouwe.

The members had an opportunity to find out more about the role and competences of the Flemish parliament, its place in the Belgian federal system, as well as the priorities of the Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA), the biggest party in the parliament and the single biggest party in Flanders and Belgium. After the presentation, Mr Vanlouwe and other EA group members from Flanders led the members on a tour of the Parliament's buildings.

EA group members very delighted by the opportunity to visit this important institution and largely commented that the visit allowed them to see the political system in Flanders in a completely new light.

In addition to Mr Vanlouwe, EA group members and alternates from Flanders are Mr Andries Gryffroy, Mr Marc Hendrickx, Mr Wilfried Vandaele, Mr Jan Van Esbroeck and Mr Karim Van Overmeire, all members of the Flemish Parliament.