Updated | Maltese mission to Brussels settle traffic fines
Foreign minister names Maltese mission amongst worst offenders for traffic fines
26 December 2013, 12:00am
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
2 min read
Didier Reynders
The foreign minister of Belgium was said to be "tired of foreign diplomats in Brussels" who do not pay their traffic fines and break the law undisturbed: among them, the Maltese mission to Brussels, which includes its embassy and permanent representation to the EU.
According to Belgian newspaper De Tijd, Malta was amongst several EU member states mentioned in a parliamentary answer over 971 unpaid fines by diplomats over the past three years.
Foreign Minister Didier Reynders described Saudi Arabia and India as bad payers, Turkish diplomats at Nato's permanent representation, and the permanent representations of Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Malta and Slovenia.
The last three years registered 971 parking and traffic fines diplomats left unpaid, but diplomats enjoy immunity under Vienna Convention rules.
As foreign minister, Reynders sends a note of reminder to the relevant embassy or diplomatic mission.
But Belgian MP Martine Taelman, who filed the PQ in the first place, said that she wants the minister to insist that these countries pay their fines and that Belgium applies the same penalties as the United States does: three unpaid fines, and their diplomatic car license is revoked.
Brussels hosts 185 embassies, being also the seat of Nato and the European Commission: countries could have up to three ambassadors to Brussels, one to the King of the Belgians, one to Nato and one to the EC.
However, the Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU has stressed that Malta has no pending fines and the Maltese officials concerned settled the fines with the Belgian authorities.
"Prior to issuing the Note Verbale to all missions and embassies, the Belgian Foreign Ministry informed Malta's Representation in Brussels that its officials had five pending fines."
It said that upon the issue being brought to its attention, the outstanding fines were immediately paid by the officials concerned.
"It is important to stress that the Maltese authorities never received a Note Verbale pinpoinint at MAlta, but conversely, the November Note Verbale was sent to all missions and embassies," the Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU continued.
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So what is the big deal? after all it is our tax of the little guy who will pay in the end, those who are paying 18 percent vat on anything they touch. While at it allow me to Wish the Best of the Remaining time in this time of Joy to all those in Brussels from one of those who can not even afford a trip to Gozo.
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@Camillu. Shame on Brussels for the poverty and misery that the European Union has brought on most European families because of its policies. Unemployment in Europe is ripe while Brussels diplomats get fat pay packages and fringe benefits.
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Where is transparency we were promised. Who are these people that are shaming our country? I want to see the whole list whoever they are. If my son's will do something wrong then his name would appear on all papers and mentioned on every TV and Radio station, what a bunch of Hypocrites.
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@Guzep. Minister Reynders was not whining, but was just answering a parliamentary question. You seem to be so red-eyed that you expect a foreign Minister living in a democracy to keep his mouth shut. Shame on you.
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My God,did all this happened during the last 9 months Didier?
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Dear Minister Didier Reynders stop whining and do your job. If you think these people are breaking the law, then do something about it. Stop blaming others for your incompetence and collect those fines or else keep your mouth shut.
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Very Simple, If they don't pay send them to Prison like they do to others,dear Minister Didier Reynders.
Rules are they to be obeyed by one and ALL especially those representing their Country. IN Malta if one doesn't pay the traffic fine every month it continues to increase. If they can't afford to pat set an example and lock them up.
