Belgium - Foreign Relations
The Concert of Nations sanctioned the creation of Belgium in 1830 on the condition that the country would remain strictly neutral. During the two World Wars, Belgium tried but was unable to follow a policy of neutrality due to the German invasions. In 1948, Belgium signed the Treaty of Brussels with Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and a year later became one of the founding members of NATO.
Belgium remains a strong proponent of both NATO and European defense efforts. Belgium also is a strong advocate of strengthening economic and political integration within the EU. Having federalized their own country, many Belgians view themselves as the ultimate "European federalists."
Both NATO (since 1966) and the EU have their headquarters in Brussels; SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO's military headquarters) is in the south of the country, near Mons.
Belgium supported the expansion of NATO and EU membership to the new democracies of central and eastern Europe and is actively engaged in the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Europe. Belgium served as the Chair-in-Office of the OSCE in 2006. Belgium sat on the United Nations Security Council during 2007-2008 and served as President of the EU from July 1 to December 31, 2010.
Belgium's foreign policy priorities in the EU include the EU's policy towards Belgium's former colonies, toward those countries where Belgian soldiers are posted, enlargement, and ensuring that EU foreign policy is developed according to agreed-upon standards. Belgium remains deeply committed to the EU and participating in the formation of a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), principally because its history as a battleground during major wars. It desires to be taken seriously as a critical EU member, but is keenly conscious of its medium size. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the lead in the government on EU issues, and was actively planning for Belgium's EU presidency in 2010. Within the MFA, the work is shared among several offices, from the cabinet of the Foreign Minister to the EU policy Directorate. Experience with 12 previous EU presidencies had given the GOB a well developed, but complex, set of rules for dividing up EU committee responsibilities among the federal and regional governments in Belgium.
Belgium's main concern in Africa is the Democratic Republic of Congo--Belgium's number one foreign policy priority. The Belgians believe their history and continued engagement with the DRC provides them with unique insight into the region. The GOB wants a stable, secure and peaceful Congo, and will work with the international community, the GoDRC, neighboring African countries, and in multilateral fora to achieve this aim. Belgium's stated objective for the Congo is peace and stability, and the GOB views restoration of the state's capacity to promote law and order throughout the country as the best means to do so. However, the GOB realizes corruption, lack of effective command and control of the military, and the illicit export of mineral resources are major obstacles to ending armed internal conflict.
The Government of Belgium (GOB) is also concerned with events in neighboring countries that impact the DRC, including Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, and Uganda. Foreign Minister's Vanackere's week long trip to Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi from January 18 to 25, 2010 underscored the importance of Central Africa to Belgium. For the Belgian political class and the media, Central Africa, especially the Congo, is the chief foreign policy concern. All three former colonies are partner countries for foreign assistance that sign agreements with the GOB and receive Belgian Technical Assistance personnel in country; the Congo received 7.6 percent of total Belgian aid in 2006. Belgium has signed a new partnership agreement with Burundi that provides an incentive for improved political governance in the form of additional aid and is working on a similar agreement with the Congo.
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