Foreign relations of Belgium

Belgium is a country in Europe and member of major international organizations like the European Union and NATO which are both headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

As a federal state, the Communities and Regions have their own foreign relations and are able to conclude treaties themselves.

Initial neutrality

Because of its location at the crossroads of Western Europe, Belgium has historically been the route of invading armies from its larger neighbours. With virtually defenceless borders, Belgium has traditionally sought to avoid domination by the more powerful nations which surround it through a policy of mediation. The Concert of Europe sanctioned the creation of Belgium in 1831 on the condition that the country remain strictly neutral.

This policy of neutrality ended after the experience of German occupation during World War I. In the years preceding World War II, Belgium tried to return to a policy of neutrality, but once again, Germany invaded the country. In 1948, Belgium signed the Treaty of Brussels with the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and one year later became one of the founding members of the Atlantic Alliance.

European integration

The Belgians have been strong advocates of European integration, and most aspects of their foreign, economic, and trade policies are coordinated through the European Union (EU), which has its main headquarters (the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and sessions of the European Parliament) in Brussels. Belgium's postwar customs union with the Netherlands and Luxembourg paved the way for the formation of the European Community (precursor to the EU), of which Belgium was a founding member.

Likewise, the Benelux abolition of internal border controls was a model for the wider Schengen Accord, which today is integrated in the acquis communautaire and aims at common visa policies and free movement of people across common borders. At the same time the Belgians, perceiving their diminutive role on the international scene, are strong advocates of strengthening economic and political integration within the EU. Belgium actively seeks improved relations with the new democracies of central and eastern Europe through such fora as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, EU association agreements, and NATO's Partnership for Peace with the former Warsaw Pact countries and several others.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Belgium remains a strong proponent of NATO. It cooperates closely with the United States within the alliance framework, in addition to supporting European defense efforts through the Western European Union (WEU). Both NATO (since 1966) and the EU have their headquarters in Brussels; SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) is in the south of the country, near Mons. Since January 1993, the WEU has been headquartered in Brussels.

Belgium and NATO

Belgium has been one of the strongest supporters of NATO since the inception of the alliance in 1949. Having suffered through two invasions in two world wars, Belgium was aware of its security needs and the limitations of its means for self-defense. As a result, the leaders of that nation began calling for the formation of a defensive alliance shortly after the liberation of Belgium at the end of World War II. In March 1948 Belgium joined with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Britain in an agreement to establish a joint defense system. This agreement, known as the Treaty of Brussels, was a recognition that individual national responses to the threat of aggression were inadequate and that a united defense effort was necessary for mutual security.

In 1948, after expressions of concern by several European states that the Treaty of Brussels was too limited in scope and effectiveness, the prime minister of Canada called for a mutual defense system comprising Western Europe and North America. On April 4, 1949, the foreign minister of Belgium joined with representatives from Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United States in signing the treaty forming NATO. Greece and Turkey became members in 1952, West Germany joined the alliance in 1955, and Spain became a member in 1982. The treaty established NATO as a multilateral political alliance that binds its members to obligations of mutual defense and economic cooperation.

During the Cold War Belgium's major NATO roles included: (1) participating in the defense of the central European region by air-land defense of an army corps area in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG); (2) military defense of its national territory and its immediate sea approaches, and the organization, defense and support of allied Lines of Communication (LOC); and (3) maintaining a mobile Belgian task force with a land component issued from a para-commando regiment and an air transport command.

Belgium has influenced the alliance policy in many ways. One of the country's most prominent international statesmen, Paul Henri Spaak, served as secretary general of NATO from 1957 to 1961. When France withdrew from the military operations of NATO in 1966, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe was transferred to Mons, in a rural area southwest of Brussels. Six months later, the organization's political headquarters was also relocated to Brussels.

In 1967 the North Atlantic Council formally adopted a proposal, formulated by Belgian foreign minister Pierre Harmel, that altered the nature of NATO policy. The Harmel plan called for NATO to be partially transformed from an entirely defensive system to one designed to encourage East-West détente and increased political consultation among the members of the alliance. By the late 1970s, however, the optimistic policy of East- West rapprochement had deteriorated. Arms control negotiations were not achieving results, and the NATO countries became increasingly concerned about the Soviet military buildup.

In December 1979 the members of NATO decided to modernize the Europe-based United States nuclear arsenal by deploying 572 new ground-launched missile systems in Western Europe that were capable of reaching the Soviet Union. The deployment would consist of 108 Pershing II ballistic missiles and 464 ground-launched cruise missiles (GLCM), all armed with single nuclear warheads. The missiles were to be deployed in five countries: the Pershing IIs and some cruise missiles in West Germany and cruise missiles only in Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The NATO allies also agreed to attempt negotiations with the Soviet Union in order to limit further nuclear deployment in Europe. The NATO decision was an integrated, or dual-track, approach involving both modernization and arms control negotiation.

During the consultations that preceded the NATO decision, the Belgian coalition government was described as supportive of the proposed missile deployment. The NATO ministers expected the government to endorse the proposal and accept the missile deployment on Belgian territory. Domestic opposition, especially from the Dutch-speaking Socialist Party (SF), however, caused the government to condition its support for the deployment policy. Belgium endorsed the decision to modernize the nuclear capability of NATO but wavered on its applicability to Belgian territory. The government was unable to concentrate fully on the issue of deployment in 1979 because of its preoccupation with linguistic and economic issues.

In September 1980, however, the government issued an ambiguous "non-decision" that allowed supporters and opponents of deployment to claim victory. Belgian acceptance was linked to progress in the Intermediate Nuclear Force (INF), negotiations being conducted by the United States and NATO with the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. If the negotiations did not succeed in lessening tensions between the states, then Belgium would, "in concert with its Allies, take all the measures agreed upon by the NATO partners (in 1979)," i.e., would allow the missiles to be stationed on Belgian territory. There would also be semiannual review of this 1980 policy until a firm decision could be made.

The SP continued to be the political group most strongly opposed to deployment. It made opposition to deployment one of its reasons for participating in the government, and its leaders have made a considerable political investment in the issue. The leader of the SP, Karel Van Miert, saw the initial NATO decision as an example of overwhelming American pressure on the Europeans and stressed that deployment in Belgium be linked to a possible INF agreement with the Soviet Union. However, the underlying rationale for opposition by the SF may have been lack of economic gain to the Dutch-speaking areas of Belgium.

The opposition may also have been mounted as a reaction to the strong antinuclear sentiment in neighboring countries, namely, the Netherlands and West Germany. The French-speaking Socialist Party (PS) has not seriously opposed deployment. The lack of PS opposition may have been positively influenced by the economic benefits to Wallonia that would result from deployment in that region.

Because of the fragility of coalition politics, as well as the continued economic strain in late 1984, the Belgian government was still unable to make a firm decision on cruise missile deployment. It has nonetheless taken initial steps to implement the plan, including the selection and construction of a site for the missiles at Florennes. A large number of Belgian officials continued to support the NATO dual-track decision and stressed Belgian willingness to counteract any increased Soviet threat to Western Europe. Nevertheless, in late 1984 it seemed likely that the government would continue to postpone a final decision as long as possible.

The Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with the former USSR went into effect, closing us down (as well as RAF Greenham Common, 501 TMW; RAF Molesworth, 303 TMW: Comiso AS, Sicily, 487 TMW; Wueschheim AS, Germany, 38 TMW; and Florennes AB, Belgium, 485 TMW). The approval of the 1983 Belgian decision to accept Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM) at Florennes, Belgium, and its subsequent implementation, was a highly political and controversial issue. During the negotiations, however, there was never a question of Belgium's support for the NATO alliance. Indeed, when the time came to act, the prime minister announced in March 1985 his government's final agreement to the installation of the missiles.

Despite some opposition Belgium generally supported the NATO modernization programs for air defense and intermediate-range nuclear weapons. Ground-launched cruise missiles were assigned to a base in Florennes in the province of Namur and were expected to be operational by early 1985; however, the final decision on Belgian acceptance of the missiles was subject to domestic political considerations. In late 1984, improvements in the air defense system were subject to intense debate; decisions to upgrade the existing defense system were based on economic, not military, considerations.

Subregional integration with the Netherlands and Luxembourg

Belgium has been involved in (sub)regional integration since the first half of the 20th century, first with the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union, founded in 1925, and then, since 1944, with the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the Benelux.

Belgium's federalism and international relations

A peculiar feature of Belgian federalism is the fact that the country's Communities and Regions maintain their own international relations, including the conclusion of treaties. Thus, there are a number of bilateral Dutch-Flemish international institutions, such as the Dutch Language Union or the institutions for the control of the river Scheldt, in which only Flanders takes part. Likewise, only the French Community of Belgium takes part in La Francophonie. For instance, UNV's Online Volunteering service received a financial contribution from the Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium for the years 2013 and 2014 to support the outreach to the francophone world and the promotion of volunteerism.[1] Ministers of the Communities and the Regions represent Belgium in the Council of the European Union when their competencies are dealt with.

Former colonies

Belgium retains special (important) but often stormy relationships with its former colonies, Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. The current constitution of Democratic Republic of the Congo was designed with the assistance of Belgian legal scholars.

International disputes

Belgium has resorted several times to international dispute settlement, notably in cases at both the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration with the Netherlands concerning the diversion of water from the Meuse (1937) the frontier at the enclave of Baarle-Hertog (1959) and the revitalisation of the so-called Iron Rhine railroad (2005). There have been other points of contention with the Netherlands, such as the deepening of the river Scheldt or the route for the high-speed rail link between Brussels and Amsterdam. This does however not influence the overall amicable character of Belgo-Dutch relationship.

Other former cases at international courts between Belgium and other countries are — in chronological order — the Oscar Chinn Case of 1934 (with the United Kingdom, the Borghgrave Case of (1937), the cases of the electricity company of Sofia (with Bulgaria) and of the "société commerciale de Belgique" (with Greece) of 1939, the case concerning the Barcelona Traction Company of 1970 (with Spain), the arrest warrant case of 2002 (with the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and the case concerning legality of use of force of 2004 (with Serbia and Montenegro).

The arrest warrant case of 2002 was caused by the application of Belgium's so called genocide law, providing for universal jurisdiction over the gravest international crimes. The same law stirred relations with, amongst others, Israel and the United States, since complaints were filed against high-ranking politicians and officials of both countries. The law was therefore repealed in 2003.

Bilateral relationships

Belgium maintains significant bilateral relations with several countries.

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Albania
  • Albania has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Tirana.
 Azerbaijan 1992-06-17
 Bulgaria1879
 Burundi
  • Belgium has an embassy in Bujumbura.[6]
  • Burundi has an embassy in Brussels.[7]
 CanadaSee Belgium–Canada relations

Both are close allies and members of NATO and Francophonie. Both have a stance of multilateralism and both have similar government systems. Both were actively involved in the war in Afghanistan under ISAF.

 Colombia1973
  • Belgium has an embassy in Bogota[8]
  • Colombia has an embassy in Brussels.[9]
 Cuba
 Czech Republic1993-01-01
 Democratic Republic of the CongoJune 1960See Belgium–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations
 DenmarkSee Belgium–Denmark relations
 Estonia1921-01-26
 Finland1919-06-10
 Germany

They are both members of the European Union and NATO. Also, the majority of the people in East Belgium speak German. Currently, Belgium has an embassy in Berlin and a consulate-general in Cologne, while Germany has one embassy in Brussels.

 Greece1874See Belgium–Greece relations
 Hungary
 Ireland
 IsraelSee Belgium–Israel relations
  • On November 29, 1947, Belgium voted in favour of UN resolution 181.
  • Belgium recognized Israel on January 15, 1950.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Tel Aviv.[27]
  • Israel has an embassy in Brussels.[28]
  • There are 31,200 Jews living in Belgium.
 Italy
 Japan1866See Belgium–Japan relations
 Kosovo2008-02-14See Belgium–Kosovo relations
 MalaysiaSee Belgium–Malaysia relations

Belgium has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Brussels.

 Mexico1838See Belgium–Mexico relations

In 1836, Belgium—itself newly independent—recognized the independence of Mexico.[40] In 1919, the Belgian chamber of commerce of Mexico was established.[40] Belgium opened its embassy in Mexico on June 5, 1954.[41]

 Moldova
 NetherlandsSee Belgium–Netherlands relations

Both nations are allies and have cultural similarities.

  • Belgium has an embassy in The Hague.[47]
  • Netherlands has an embassy in Brussels.[48]
  • Both nations are members of the European Union and NATO.
 North Korea See Foreign relations of North Korea
 PakistanSee Belgium–Pakistan relations

Belgium is the sixth largest European importer of Pakistani goods, and the bilateral trade between the two is approaching to US $600 million.[52]

Former Pakistani president, Pervez Musharraf, has also previously extended a visit to Belgium during his tour of Europe in early 2008, which also included visits to the United Kingdom, France and Sweden. During his stay in Brussels, he met the then-Prime Minister of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt, and the two leaders held significant talks on trade and defence co-operation.

 Qatar
  • In 2014 Qatar's embassy in Brussels received a complaint regarding the veil of the niquab of an unidentified Qatari princess being forcibly removed by a Belgian civil servant.[53] The incident is under investigation by Belgian police.[53]
 RussiaSee Belgium–Russia relations

Russia has an embassy in Brussels and a consulate-general in Antwerp, whilst Belgium has an embassy in Moscow and an honorary consulate in Saint Petersburg.

 Rwanda
  • Belgium has an embassy in Kigali.[54]
  • Rwanda has an embassy in Brussels.[55]
 Serbia1886-03-15
 Slovenia1991
 South Korea23 March 1901[58] See Belgium–South Korea relations South Korea–Belgium relations
 TurkeySee Belgium–Turkey relations
 Ukraine1992See Belgium–Ukraine relations

Belgium has an embassy in Kiev; Ukraine has an embassy in Brussels and two honorary consulates (in Antwerp and Mons). Although politically the two nations are not closely connected, they have a long history of economic integration and trade, with Belgian investment playing a role in the contemporary Ukrainian economy. As of 2008, trade revenue generated between the two nations accounted for approximately US$1 billion.[64]

 United KingdomSee Belgium–United Kingdom relations

Historically, the two countries have trading links going back to the 10th century, especially wool trade from England to the County of Flanders. In the early years of the Hundred Years' War, Edward III allied with the nobles of the Low Countries and the burghers of Flanders against France.

 United StatesSee Belgium–United States relations

The United States and Belgium are good friends and allies, despite occasional disagreements on a limited number of foreign policy issues. Good will and affection for Americans continues as a result of the U.S. role during and after the two World Wars, which was exhibited in 2004 during the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Belgium. Continuing to celebrate cooperative U.S. and Belgian relations, 2007 marks the 175th anniversary of the nations' relationship.

See also

References

  1. ↑ UNV Online Volunteering service, Partners
  2. ↑ "Belgian embassy Baku". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "AZEMBASSY BELGIUM". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Belgian embassy Sofia". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Bulgarian embassy in Brussels (in Bulgarian and French only)
  6. ↑ "Diplomatie". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Ambaburundi - Accueil". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Bogota (in Spanish)". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  9. ↑ Colombian embassy in Brussels
  10. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Havana". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  11. ↑ http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/belgica/EN/Home.aspx. Retrieved 20 February 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Prague". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Czech embassy in Brussels". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Diplomatie". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  15. ↑ "Bienvenue sur le site de l'Ambassade de RD Congo à Bruxelles". Site Officiel de l'Ambassade de la RDCONGO près le Benelux et de l'Union Européenne. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "Embassy of Belgium in Copenhagen (in Danish, Dutch and French)". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  17. ↑ "Embassy of Denmark in Belgium". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  18. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Tallinn". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "Estemb in Belgium and Luxembourg". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  20. ↑ "Embassy of Belgium in Helsinki". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  21. ↑ "Embassy of Finland, Brussels". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Athens". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  23. ↑ "IU Webmaster redirect". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Budapest". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  25. ↑ Hungarian representation to the European Union in Brussels
  26. ↑ Belgian embassy in Dublin
  27. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Tel Aviv". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  28. ↑ "Error-2010-f3". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  29. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Rome (in Dutch, French and Italian only)". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  30. ↑ Italian embassy in Brussels
  31. ↑ Italian general consulate in Charleroi
  32. ↑ Italian general consulate in Liège (in French and Italian only)
  33. ↑ Italian consulate in Genk (in Dutch and Italian only)
  34. ↑ Italian consulate in Mons (in French and Italian only)
  35. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Tokyo". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  36. ↑ "Embassy of Japan in Belgium". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  37. ↑ Website Japanese Embassy in Brussels - Japan-Belgium Relations. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  38. ↑ "België erkent Kosovo" (in Dutch). Algemeen Dagblad. 2008-02-25.
  39. ↑ "MFA Belgium". 2008-03-05.
  40. 1 2 "Geschiedenis van Belgie en de Belgen in Mexico" (in Flemish). Belgium. Retrieved 2009-06-10. Sommigen zijn matrozen, andere huursoldaten, nog anderen oefenen uiteenlopende beroepen uit: misionarissen, artisanen, handelaars...zonder rekening te houden met drie grote Vlaamse brouwers die in 1537 naar Mexico kwamen op aanvraag van de Vice-Koning, en die beschouwd worden als de pioniers van het brouwen van het Mexicaanse bier.
  41. ↑ "Herdenking van de 50e verjaardag van de Belgisch-Mexicaanse diplomatieke relaties op niveau van Ambassadeur" (in Flemish). Belgium. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  42. ↑ "Homepage - SPF Asuntos Exteriores, Comercio Exterior y Cooperación al Desarrollo". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  43. ↑ "Bienvenidos a la portada". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  44. ↑ "Error 404". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  45. ↑ Belgian Embassy in Bucharest (French)
  46. ↑ "ba verzekering". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  47. ↑ "Nederlandse ambassade in Brussel, België". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  48. ↑ "Diplomatie". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  49. ↑ "Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Pakistan". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  50. ↑ "Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Belgium". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  51. ↑ "Embassy of Pakistan in Belgium". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  52. ↑ http://www.mofa.gov.pk/Spokesperson/2008/Jan/Spokes_16_01_08.htm
  53. 1 2 NRK. "Slørkrise mellom Belgia og Qatar". NRK. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  54. ↑ "Diplomacy". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  55. ↑ Embassy of Rwanda in Brussels (in French)
  56. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Belgrade". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  57. ↑ "Belgian embassy in Ljubljana". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  58. 1 2 http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/europe/countries/20070818/1_24641.jsp?menu=m_30_40
  59. ↑ "Embassy of Belgium in Turkey". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  60. ↑ "Embassy of Belgium in Turkey". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  61. ↑ "Embassy of Turkey in Belgium". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  62. ↑ "Türkiye Cumhuriyeti". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  63. ↑ "Türkiye Cumhuriyeti". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  64. ↑ "The first session of Ukrainian-Belgian Intergovernmental Joint Commission on trade, economic and financial cooperation had taken place". Ministry of the Economy of Ukraine. October 31, 2009.

External links

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