Belgium has been paralyzed by a 24-hour general strike, the first in six years, as European leaders meet for a summit in Brussels, writes Telegraph.

The capital’s train station remained closed on Monday, while the low-cost airport in Sharlwrwa canceled all incoming and outgoing flights, TCH reports.

Although Brussels airport will remain open, traffic there will also be affected by the strike. The largest port in the country that of Antwerp, has also been closed, along with many other factories and work centers.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the EU started on Monday the talks on the changes that will be carried out in the financial treaties and the ways in which economic growth can be restored in the Eurozone.

Belgian unions protest against the authorities’ plans to save 11,3 billion euros, as part of reforms to reduce the budget deficit. Among the measures foreseen by Brussels is that of raising the retirement age.