A Tree Alley to remind Big Bang 2004 European Union enlargement inaugurated in Av. de Cortenbergh
Updated 2025-11-28
On November 27, Ambassador Nerijus Aleksiejūnas, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the European Union (EU), together with representatives of Brussels Mobility and Ambassadors of EU member states that joined the Union in 2004, planted and inaugurated a symbolic tree alley to commemorate this historic event.
"Lithuania is putting down deep roots in the European Union – from now on, we will have a symbolic tree in the heart of Brussels," said Ambassador Aleksiejūnas. "The inauguration of the EU Enlargement Alley next to the main European institutions is a symbolic recognition that the 2004 EU enlargement was a huge success that strengthened Europe."
"Cortenbergh Avenue is long enough, so I am confident that the tree alley will continue to expand and that in the near future we will gather to plant trees dedicated to Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkan countries," said the Ambassador.
Representatives from ten countries – Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia – planted maple and oak trees. The trees were chosen for this occasion by Brussels Mobility for their longevity and in accordance with the heritage requirements of the European Quarter and Brussels City.
On May 1, 2004, ten countries joined the EU: Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. This is the largest expansion of the EU to date, both in terms of the number of people and the number of countries.
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