The Rue de la Loi or Wetstraat (Dutch), meaning "Law Street", is a major street running through central and eastern Brussels, Belgium, which is famous due to the presence of several notable Belgian and European Union (EU) governmental buildings. The road runs from the Rue Royale/Koningsstraat, in central Brussels, to the Robert Schuman Roundabout in its European Quarter. It forms the first (westerly) part of the N3 road that runs to Aachen, Germany.
The Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat looking west from over the Belliard tunnel
The Berlaymont building (European Commission), Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
View looking west towards the Parc du Cinquantenaire/Jubelpark
Brussels and the European Union
Brussels (Belgium) is considered the de facto capital of the European Union, having a long history of hosting a number of principal EU institutions within its European Quarter. The EU has no official capital but Brussels hosts the official seats of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Council, as well as a seat of the European Parliament. In 2013, this presence generated about €250 million and 121,000 jobs. The main rationale for Brussels being chosen as "capital of the European Union" was its halfway location between France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the three countries whose rivalry played a role in starting the two World Wars and whose reconciliation paved the way for European integration.
Aerial view of Brussels' European Quarter, hosting most of the EU's institutions
The Charlemagne building (before renovation), headquarters of the Council of the European Union between 1971 and 1995
The Breydel building served as the European Commission's headquarters while the Berlaymont was renovated
Brussels attracts the most journalists in the world (Commission's press room pictured)