Belgium in 2019: Some dates for your diary

The Tour de France in Brussels, Belgian elections and Brexit. 2019 is already gearing up to be a busy year. Here are just a few events to look out for.

1 January
Belgium presides the UN Security Council for six months. Belgium becomes a non-permanent member for a two-year term.

8 January
Beginning of the trial into the Buizingen railway disaster, in which 19 people died nine years ago.

10 January
The trial begins for Mehdi Nemmouche and Nacer Bendrer over the 2014 attack on the Brussels Jewish Museum.

29 March
The UK is due to leave the European Union. Belgium has been preparing for a worst-case no-deal scenario.

4 April
70th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty, which led to the creation of Nato.

26 May
Regional and federal elections in Belgium - plus European elections.

6 July
Brussels hosts the Grand Départ for the Tour de France.

2019 public holidays in Belgium

1 January: New Year's Day
22 April: Easter Monday
1 May: Labour Day
30 May: Ascension
10 June: Whit Monday (Pentecost)
21 July: National day
15 August: Assumption
1 November: All Saint's Day
11 November: Armistice Day
25 December: Christmas Day