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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.
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.
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]
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 (with Spain), the cases of the electricity company of Sofia of 1939 (with Bulgaria), the case of the "société commerciale de Belgique" of 1939 (with Greece), 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.
List of countries which Belgium maintains diplomatic relations with:
![]() | ||
---|---|---|
# | Country | Date |
1 | ![]() |
15 June 1827[2] |
2 | ![]() |
1 December 1830[3] |
3 | ![]() |
August 1831[4] |
4 | ![]() |
6 January 1832[5] |
— | ![]() |
17 July 1834[6] |
5 | ![]() |
22 September 1834[7] |
6 | ![]() |
July 1834[8] |
7 | ![]() |
23 February 1837[9] |
8 | ![]() |
25 February 1837[10] |
9 | ![]() |
30 November 1838[11] |
10 | ![]() |
3 August 1839[12] |
11 | ![]() |
1841[13] |
12 | ![]() |
30 September 1845[14] |
13 | ![]() |
16 May 1850[15] |
14 | ![]() |
27 September 1850[16] |
15 | ![]() |
24 February 1851[17] |
16 | ![]() |
16 September 1853[18] |
17 | ![]() |
1853[19] |
18 | ![]() |
27 March 1858[20] |
19 | ![]() |
18 May 1858[21] |
20 | ![]() |
26 July 1858[22] |
21 | ![]() |
31 August 1858[23] |
22 | ![]() |
3 March 1860[24] |
23 | ![]() |
1 August 1866[25] |
24 | ![]() |
5 June 1867[26] |
25 | ![]() |
1873[27] |
26 | ![]() |
11 December 1879[28] |
27 | ![]() |
29 March 1880[29] |
28 | ![]() |
21 April 1880[30] |
29 | ![]() |
21 July 1883[31] |
30 | ![]() |
15 March 1886[32] |
31 | ![]() |
1 July 1890[33] |
32 | ![]() |
10 April 1891[34] |
33 | ![]() |
18 April 1892[35] |
34 | ![]() |
15 February 1894[36] |
35 | ![]() |
18 November 1889[37] |
36 | ![]() |
15 January 1902[38] |
37 | ![]() |
18 August 1902[39] |
38 | ![]() |
14 November 1905[40] |
39 | ![]() |
15 February 1908[41] |
40 | ![]() |
6 March 1919[42] |
41 | ![]() |
9 July 1919[43] |
42 | ![]() |
21 September 1919[44] |
43 | ![]() |
21 January 1921[45] |
44 | ![]() |
20 February 1922[46] |
45 | ![]() |
10 May 1922[47] |
46 | ![]() |
26 February 1923[48] |
47 | ![]() |
25 March 1923[49] |
48 | ![]() |
1 January 1924[50] |
49 | ![]() |
2 October 1931[51] |
50 | ![]() |
7 September 1932[52] |
51 | ![]() |
28 August 1933[53] |
52 | ![]() |
3 January 1939[54] |
53 | ![]() |
25 November 1944[55] |
54 | ![]() |
9 November 1945[56] |
55 | ![]() |
20 March 1946[57] |
56 | ![]() |
4 July 1946[58] |
57 | ![]() |
5 December 1946[59] |
58 | ![]() |
17 April 1947[60] |
59 | ![]() |
4 May 1947[61] |
60 | ![]() |
20 September 1947[62] |
61 | ![]() |
10 October 1947[63] |
62 | ![]() |
27 November 1947[64] |
63 | ![]() |
20 February 1948[65] |
64 | ![]() |
3 October 1949[66] |
65 | ![]() |
15 January 1950[67] |
66 | ![]() |
27 June 1951[68] |
67 | ![]() |
27 July 1953[69] |
68 | ![]() |
19 September 1953[70] |
69 | ![]() |
10 April 1955[71] |
70 | ![]() |
15 May 1956[72] |
71 | ![]() |
30 July 1956[73] |
72 | ![]() |
23 July 1956[74] |
73 | ![]() |
1957[75] |
74 | ![]() |
2 October 1959[76] |
75 | ![]() |
28 January 1960[77] |
76 | ![]() |
2 July 1960[78] |
77 | ![]() |
5 July 1960[79] |
78 | ![]() |
3 October 1960[38] |
79 | ![]() |
1960[80] |
80 | ![]() |
3 January 1961[81] |
81 | ![]() |
1 February 1961[82] |
82 | ![]() |
4 February 1961[83] |
83 | ![]() |
15 March 1961[84] |
84 | ![]() |
13 April 1961[85] |
85 | ![]() |
2 May 1961[86] |
86 | ![]() |
27 June 1961[87] |
87 | ![]() |
12 July 1961[88] |
88 | ![]() |
22 September 1961[89] |
89 | ![]() |
17 October 1961[90] |
90 | ![]() |
20 February 1962[91] |
91 | ![]() |
14 March 1962[92] |
92 | ![]() |
18 July 1962[93] |
93 | ![]() |
18 July 1962[94] |
94 | ![]() |
21 August 1962[95] |
95 | ![]() |
11 December 1962[96] |
96 | ![]() |
1962[97] |
97 | ![]() |
13 June 1963[98] |
98 | ![]() |
1 August 1963[99] |
99 | ![]() |
19 August 1963[100] |
100 | ![]() |
8 April 1964[101] |
101 | ![]() |
29 April 1964[102] |
102 | ![]() |
15 July 1964[103] |
103 | ![]() |
6 December 1964[104] |
104 | ![]() |
1964[105] |
105 | ![]() |
June 1965[106] |
106 | ![]() |
29 November 1965[107] |
107 | ![]() |
28 January 1966[108] |
108 | ![]() |
7 February 1966[109] |
109 | ![]() |
10 October 1966[110] |
110 | ![]() |
25 July 1967[111] |
111 | ![]() |
24 August 1967[112] |
112 | ![]() |
24 August 1967[112] |
113 | ![]() |
19 October 1967[113] |
114 | ![]() |
12 December 1967[114] |
115 | ![]() |
1968[115] |
116 | ![]() |
14 November 1969[116] |
117 | ![]() |
10 May 1970[117] |
118 | ![]() |
30 October 1970[118] |
119 | ![]() |
13 November 1970[119] |
120 | ![]() |
10 June 1971[120] |
121 | ![]() |
8 July 1971[121] |
122 | ![]() |
16 August 1971[122] |
123 | ![]() |
25 October 1971[123] |
124 | ![]() |
8 December 1971[124] |
125 | ![]() |
September 1972[125] |
126 | ![]() |
22 March 1973[126] |
127 | ![]() |
15 May 1973[127] |
128 | ![]() |
May 1973[128] |
129 | ![]() |
21 November 1973[129] |
130 | ![]() |
12 December 1973[130] |
131 | ![]() |
22 May 1974[131] |
132 | ![]() |
4 July 1975[132] |
133 | ![]() |
5 December 1975[133] |
134 | ![]() |
1 July 1976[134] |
135 | ![]() |
16 September 1976[135] |
136 | ![]() |
1 October 1976[136] |
137 | ![]() |
15 October 1976[137] |
138 | ![]() |
15 November 1976[138] |
139 | ![]() |
12 July 1977[139] |
140 | ![]() |
2 August 1977[140] |
141 | ![]() |
3 October 1977[141] |
142 | ![]() |
19 June 1978[142] |
143 | ![]() |
28 February 1979[143] |
144 | ![]() |
24 April 1980[144] |
145 | ![]() |
2 December 1980[145] |
146 | ![]() |
1980[146] |
147 | ![]() |
1980[147] |
148 | ![]() |
1980[148] |
149 | ![]() |
10 June 1981[149] |
150 | ![]() |
1982[150] |
151 | ![]() |
3 May 1984[151] |
152 | ![]() |
26 March 1985[152] |
153 | ![]() |
30 October 1985[150] |
154 | ![]() |
1986[153] |
155 | ![]() |
21 September 1990[154] |
156 | ![]() |
5 September 1991[155] |
157 | ![]() |
5 September 1991[156] |
158 | ![]() |
5 September 1991[157] |
159 | ![]() |
5 March 1992[158] |
160 | ![]() |
10 March 1992[159] |
161 | ![]() |
10 March 1992[160] |
162 | ![]() |
10 March 1992[161] |
163 | ![]() |
10 March 1992[162] |
164 | ![]() |
11 March 1992[163] |
165 | ![]() |
25 March 1992[164] |
166 | ![]() |
29 April 1992[165] |
167 | ![]() |
5 June 1992[166] |
168 | ![]() |
17 June 1992[167] |
169 | ![]() |
18 August 1992[168] |
170 | ![]() |
25 September 1992[169] |
171 | ![]() |
1 January 1993[170] |
172 | ![]() |
1 February 1993[171] |
173 | ![]() |
1993[172] |
174 | ![]() |
14 February 1994[173] |
175 | ![]() |
3 March 1994[174] |
176 | ![]() |
31 March 1994[175] |
177 | ![]() |
15 December 1994[176] |
178 | ![]() |
29 May 1996[177] |
179 | ![]() |
28 October 1996[178] |
180 | ![]() |
23 December 2000[179] |
181 | ![]() |
3 February 2003[180] |
— | ![]() |
6 April 2005[181] |
182 | ![]() |
25 June 2006[182] |
— | ![]() |
10 April 2008[183] |
183 | ![]() |
21 January 2009[184] |
184 | ![]() |
5 August 2009[185] |
185 | ![]() |
18 May 2010[186] |
186 | ![]() |
14 October 2011[187] |
187 | ![]() |
Unknown |
188 | ![]() |
Unknown |
189 | ![]() |
Unknown |
190 | ![]() |
Unknown |
191 | ![]() |
Unknown |
192 | ![]() |
Unknown |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 2 July 1960 | See Belgium–Democratic Republic of the Congo relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 2 July 1960 when establishment of the Belgian diplomatic mission in Leopoldville and Jean Van den Bosch becomes the Belgian ambassador.[188]
|
![]() |
| |
![]() | 14 October 2011 | Diplomatic relations were established on 14 October 2011.[190]
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 3 January 1939 | See Belgium–Canada relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 3 January 1939.[192]
|
![]() | 18 August 1902 |
Diplomatic relations were established on 18 August 1902.[193] In 1837, Belgian negotiating sale right ownership of Cuba from Spanish government.[194]
|
![]() | 19 November 1839 | See Belgium–Mexico relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 19 November 1839.[15] In 1836, Belgium—itself newly independent—recognized the independence of Mexico.[195] In 1919, the Belgian chamber of commerce of Mexico was established.[195] Belgium opened its embassy in Mexico on 5 June 1954.[196]
|
![]() | 16 May 1850 | Diplomatic relations were established on 16 May 1850.[15]
|
![]() | 9 February 1832 | See Belgium–United States relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 9 February 1832 when has been accredited Minister Resident of Belgium to United States with residence in Washington baron D. Behr.[197] 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.
|
![]() | 26 September 1852 | See Belgium–Uruguay relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 26 September 1852 when M. Joseph Lannoy has been appointed as Minister Resident of Belgium to Uruguay with Residence in Rio-de-Janeiro.[198]
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 10 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992.[199]
|
![]() | 17 June 1992 | See Azerbaijan–Belgium relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 17 June 1992.[201]
|
![]() | 25 October 1971 | See Belgium–China relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 25 October 1971.[202] |
![]() | 5 June 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 5 June 1992.[203]
|
![]() | 20 September 1947 | See Belgium–India relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 20 September 1947 when Prince Eugene de Ligne presented his credentials as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to India.[205] |
![]() | 14 June 1950 | See Belgium–Indonesia relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 14 June 1950 when Consulate General of Belgium in Jakarta has been elevated to rang Legation and M. P. Vanderstichelen appointed as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Indonesia.[206]
|
![]() | See Belgium–Israel relations
| |
![]() | 1 August 1866 | See Belgium–Japan relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 1 August 1866.[207]
|
![]() | 25 August 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 25 August 1992.[208] |
![]() | 25 March 1992 | See Belgium–Turkey relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 25 March 1992.[209]
|
![]() | 12 December 1957 | See Belgium–Malaysia relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 12 December 1957.[210]
|
![]() | 20 February 1948 | See Belgium–Pakistan relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 20 February 1948.[211]
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. [citation needed] |
![]() | 18 May 1949 | See Belgium–Philippines relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 18 May 1949.[212]
|
![]() | 2 May 1961 | See Belgium–South Korea relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 2 May 1961.[213]
|
![]() | 4 April 1838 | See Belgium–Turkey relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 4 April 1838 when has been accredited Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Turkey baron O'Sullivan de Grass.[217]
|
![]() | 1 February 1993 | See Belgium–Turkey relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 1 February 1993.[218]
|
![]() | 10 March 1992 | See Belgium–Turkey relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992.[219]
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 15 December 1994 | Diplomatic relations were established on 15 December 1994.[220]
|
![]() |
| |
![]() | 10 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992.[221]
|
![]() | 3 March 1994 | Diplomatic relations were established on 3 March 1994.[222]
|
![]() | 11 December 1879 | Diplomatic relations were established on 11 December 1879.[223]
|
![]() | 10 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992.[226]
|
![]() | 3 June 1919 | Belgium and Czechoslovakia established diplomatic relations on 3 June 1919.[227]
|
![]() | 25 February 1837 | See Belgium–Denmark relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 25 February 1837 when has been accredited chargé d'affaires of Belgium to Denmark baron T. van der Straten-Ponthoz[229][230]
|
![]() | 26 January 1921 | Diplomatic relations were established first time on 21 January 1921. Diplomatic relations re-established on 5 September 1991.[231]
|
![]() | 9 July 1919 | Diplomatic relations were established on 9 July 1919.[232]
|
![]() | 8 March 1831 | See Belgium–France relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 8 March 1831 when has been accredited Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium to France Comte C. Le Hon.[12]
|
![]() | See Belgium–Germany relations
They are both members of the European Union and NATO. Also, the majority of the people in East Belgium speak German.
| |
![]() | 30 November 1838 | See Belgium–Greece relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 30 November 1838 when has been accredited Chargé d'Affaires of Belgium to Greece M. Benjamin Mary.[12]
|
![]() | 21 July 1832 | Diplomatic relations were established on 21 July 1832 when has been accredited Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Roman states and Italian states (Holy See) Viscount Vilain XIIII.[233]
|
![]() | 9 November 1945 | Diplomatic relations were established on 9 November 1945.[234]
|
![]() | 7 September 1932 | Diplomatic relations were established on 7 September 1932 when has been established Legation of Ireland in Belgium (Brussels). It was raised into an embassy 9 January 1959.[235]
|
![]() | 24 February 1851 | Diplomatic relations were established on 24 February 1851 when has been appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Italy to Belgium Alberto Lupi Di Montalto.[236]
|
![]() | 23 April 2008 | See Belgium–Kosovo relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 23 April 2008.[237]
|
![]() |
26 January 1921 | Diplomatic relations were established on 26 January 1921.[240] Diplomatic relations re-established on 5 September 1991.[241] |
![]() |
27 December 1922 | Diplomatic relations were established first time on 27 December 1922.Diplomatic relations re-established on 5 September 1991.[242] |
![]() | 9 July 1892 | See Belgium–Luxembourg relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 9 July 1892.[243]
|
![]() | June 1965 | Diplomatic relations were established in June 1965.[244]
|
![]() | 11 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 11 March 1992.[245] |
![]() | 2 October 1931 | Diplomatic relations were established on 2 October 1931.[246]
|
![]() | 25 July 2006 | Diplomatic relations were established on 25 July 2006.[247]
|
![]() | 3 August 1839 | See Belgium–Netherlands relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 3 August 1839 when has been accredited Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium to the Netherlands Prince J. De Chimay.[12] |
![]() | 14 February 1994 | Diplomatic relations were established on 14 February 1994.[249]
|
![]() | 14 November 1905 | Diplomatic relations were established on 14 November 1905.[251] |
![]() | 6 March 1919 | Diplomatic relations were established on 6 March 1919.[252]
|
![]() | 20 February 1834 | Diplomatic relations were established on 20 February 1834 when has been accredited chargé d'affaires of Belgium to Portugal C. Serruys.[253]
|
![]() | 29 March 1880 | Diplomatic relations were established on 29 March 1880.[254]
|
![]() | 11 April 1853 | See Belgium–Russia relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 11 April 1853.[255]
|
![]() | 15 March 1886 | |
![]() | 1 January 1993 | Diplomatic relations were established on 1 January 1993.[257]
|
![]() | 5 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 5 March 1992.[258]
Belgium recognised Slovenia as an independent country effective from 15 January 1992.[200]
|
![]() | 18 September 1832 | See Belgium–Spain relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 18 September 1832 when has been accredited chargé d'affaires of Belgium to Spain J.-B. Kaufmann.[259]
|
![]() | 23 February 1837 | Diplomatic relations were established on 23 February 1837 when has been accredited Chargé d'Affaires of Belgium to Sweden baron T. Vander Straten Ponthoz.[260]
|
![]() | 10 March 1992 | See Belgium–Ukraine relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992.[261] 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.[262] |
![]() | 1 December 1830 | See Belgium–United Kingdom relations
Diplomatic relations were established on 1 December 1830 when John Ponsonby has been appointed as special mission to provisional government.[263] 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. |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
![]() | 10 October 1947 | Diplomatic relations were established on 10 October 1947.[264]
|
The kingdom of Belgium recognises 4 types of incoming visits in Belgium. They are ranked in precedence and protocol.[265]
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