H.E. Anick Van Calster: Blaming Refugees Will Not Help Combat Terror

Novinite has asked Belgium's Ambassador to Bulgaria, H.E. Anick van Calster, to comment on how Brussels is recovering following the deadly attacks at the city's Zaventem airport and at a metro station that killed 32 people from around the world and left hundreds injured.

News broadcasts reported after the attacks last Tuesday that Brussels would "never be the same". Three weeks on from the deadly events, do you agree and if yes, would you elaborate? Is Brussels returning to its normal rhythm already?

The terror attacks were a shock for all of us, and I personally feel for all the victims and their beloved ones. When a city is struck by disaster, it leaves its marks, of course, we have unfortunately already seen that in other cities. People have to find a place for their sadness, fear, anger, and many other feelings. In Brussels, very quickly, a kind of memorial was set up near "la Bourse", where people gather to pay tribute, to show solidarity, and also strength. They have been drawing, lighting candles, singing together and much more. We saw a very diverse group of people there from different origins, religions, nationalities, political convictions? In this way the inhabitants of Brussels have shown their resilience and family members living in Brussels tell me they have taken up their normal routine again. The city is quieter, mainly people from outside have decided not to come. Public transportation has been reestablished, although there are some limitations in the services. There are daily updates on the website of the Brussels public transportation operator.

The Zaventem airport is building up operations again. The first flights left Zaventem on April 03, and work is being done to go back to normal traffic as...