<!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see WP:SDNONE -->

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.

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.

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&nbsp;— in chronological order&nbsp;— 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.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Belgium maintains diplomatic relations with:

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Relationship with countries

Africa

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

!width="15%"| Country

!width="12%"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

|--valign="top"

|||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.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Kinshasa and a consulate-general in Lubumbashi.
  • Congo-Kinshasa has an embassy in Brussels and a consulate-general in Antwerp.

|--valign="top"

| ||<!--Date started-->||

  • Belgium recognised Eritrea as an independent country on 14 June 1993.

|--valign="top"

| ||14 October 2011||Diplomatic relations were established on 14 October 2011.

  • Belgium recognised South Sudan as an independent country on 1 December 2011.

|}

Americas

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

!width="15%"| Country

!width="12%"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

|--valign="top"

|||3 January 1939||See Belgium–Canada relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 3 January 1939.

  • Both are close allies and members of NATO and Francophonie. Both have a stance of multilateralism and have similar government systems.
  • Both were actively involved in the war in Afghanistan under ISAF.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Ottawa and a consulate-general in Montreal.
  • Canada has an embassy in Brussels.

|-- valign="top"

|||18 August 1902

|

Diplomatic relations were established on 18 August 1902.

In 1837, Belgian negotiating sale right ownership of Cuba from Spanish government.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Havana.
  • Cuba has an embassy in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

|||19 November 1839||See Belgium–Mexico relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 19 November 1839.

In 1836, Belgium—itself newly independent—recognized the independence of Mexico. In 1919, the Belgian chamber of commerce of Mexico was established.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Mexico City.
  • Mexico has an embassy in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

| ||16 May 1850||Diplomatic relations were established on 16 May 1850.

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.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and consulates-general in Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York City.
  • United States has an embassy in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

| ||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.

  • Belgium is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Uruguay has an embassy in Brussels.

|}

Asia

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

!width="15%"| Country

!width="12%"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

|--valign="top"

| ||10 March 1992

|Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992.

  • Belgium recognised Armenia as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991.
  • Armenia has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Belgium is accredited to Armenia from its embassy in Moscow, Russia and maintains an honorary consulate in Yerevan.
  • Belgium has recognized the Armenian genocide in 1998.

|--valign="top"

| ||17 June 1992

|See Azerbaijan–Belgium relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 17 June 1992.

  • Belgium recognised Azerbaijan as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991.
  • Belgium recognised Georgia as an independent country on 23 March 1992.
  • Belgium is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Georgia has an embassy in Brussels

|--valign="top"

| ||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.

  • Belgium has an embassy in New Delhi and consualates-general in Chennai and Mumbai.
  • India has an embassy in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

| ||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.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Jakarta.
  • Indonesia has an embassy in Brussels.

|- valign="top"

|||||

  • Belgium has an embassy in Tehran.
  • Iran has an embassy in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

|||<!--Date started-->||See Belgium–Israel relations

  • On 29 November 1947, Belgium voted in favour of UN resolution 181.
  • Belgium recognised Israel on 15 January 1950.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
  • Israel has an embassy in Brussels.
  • There are approximately 31,200 Jews living in Belgium.

|--valign="top"

|||1 August 1866||See Belgium–Japan relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 1 August 1866.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Tokyo.
  • Japan has an embassy in Brussels.

|-- valign="top"

|||25 August 1992||See Belgium–Kazakhstan relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 25 August 1992.

  • Belgium recognised Kazakhstan as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991.
  • Belgium recognised Kyrgyzstan as an independent country effective from 20 januari 1992.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Malaysia has an embassy in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

|||20 February 1948||See Belgium–Pakistan relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 20 February 1948.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Islamabad.
  • Pakistan has an embassy in Brussels.

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.

|--valign="top"

| ||18 May 1949||See Belgium–Philippines relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 18 May 1949.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Manila.
  • Philippines has an embassy in Brussels.

|- valign="top"

|||||

  • Belgium has an embassy in Riyadh.
  • Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

|||2 May 1961

|See Belgium–South Korea relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 2 May 1961.

  • South Korea has an embassy in Brussels.
  • A Working Holiday Visa program has signed by the two governments of Belgian with South Korean in 2015.

|--valign="top"

|||20 March 1946||See Belgium–Syria relations

Relations were established on 20 March 1946 when M.R. Taymans was appointed as Chargé d'Affaires of Belgium to Syria with residence in Beirut.

  • Belgium had an embassy in Damascus, which was closed in 2012.
  • Syria has an embassy in Brussels.

|- valign="top"

|||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.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate–general in Istanbul.
  • Turkey has an embassy in Brussels and a consulate–general in Antwerp.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • Belgium opposes Turkey's EU membership.

|--valign="top"

|||1 February 1993||See Belgium–Turkey relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 1 February 1993.

  • Belgium recognised Turkmenistan as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991.
  • Belgium recognised Uzbekistan as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991.
  • Belgium has recognised Andorra as an independent country on 2 December 1993, effective from 28 July 1993.
  • Belgium recognised Belarus as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991.
  • Belgium recognised Bosnia as an independent country on 10 April 1992.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Sofia.
  • Bulgaria has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of Francophonie, NATO and of the European Union.

|--valign="top"

| ||10 March 1992||Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992.

  • Belgium recognised Croatia as an independent country effective from 15 January 1992.
  • Belgium recognised the independence of Czechia on 16 February 1993, effective from 1 January 1993.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Prague.
  • Czech Republic has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.

|--valign="top"

|||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

  • Belgium has an embassy in Copenhagen.
  • Denmark has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|--valign="top"

|||26 January 1921

|Diplomatic relations were established first time on 21 January 1921. Diplomatic relations re-established on 5 September 1991.

  • Belgium first recognised the independence of Estonia on 26 January 1921.
  • After the end of the Soviet occupation, Belgium re-recognised Estonia on 27 August 1991.
  • Belgium is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Helsinki, Finland.
  • Estonia has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.
  • Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Belgium

|--valign="top"

|||9 July 1919

|Diplomatic relations were established on 9 July 1919.

  • Belgium recognised Finland's independence on 10 June 1919.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Helsinki.
  • Finland has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|--valign="top"

|||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.

  • Belgium has an embassy to the Holy See based in Rome.
  • Holy See has an apostolic nunciature in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

| ||9 November 1945||Diplomatic relations were established on 9 November 1945.

  • Belgium is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Oslo, Norway.
  • Iceland has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.

|--valign="top"

|||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.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Dublin.
  • Ireland has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and the Council of Europe.

|--valign="top"

|||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.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Rome.
  • Italy has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, of the European Union and of NATO.
  • There are around 450,000 people of Italian descent living in Belgium (see Italian Belgians); one of them is former Belgian prime minister Elio Di Rupo
  • During World War II, Free Belgian Forces participated in the East African Campaign against Italy.

|--valign="top"

|||23 April 2008||See Belgium–Kosovo relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 23 April 2008.

  • Belgium recognised Kosovo on 24 February 2008.
  • Belgium has a Liaison Office in Pristina.
  • Kosovo has an embassy in Brussels.

|-

|

|26 January 1921

|Diplomatic relations were established on 26 January 1921. Diplomatic relations re-established on 5 September 1991.

  • Belgium is accredited to Latvia from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Latvia has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|-

|

|27 December 1922

|Diplomatic relations were established first time on 27 December 1922.Diplomatic relations re-established on 5 September 1991.

  • Belgium is accredited to Lithuania from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
  • Lithuania has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|--valign="top"

| ||9 July 1892||See Belgium–Luxembourg relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 9 July 1892.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Luxembourg City.
  • Luxembourg has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|--valign="top"

| ||June 1965||Diplomatic relations were established in June 1965.

  • Belgium is accredited to Malta from its embassy in Rome, Italy.
  • Malta has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and of the Council of Europe.

|--valign="top"

|||11 March 1992||Diplomatic relations were established on 11 March 1992.

  • Belgium recognised Moldova as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991.
  • Belgium is accredited to Monaco from its embassy in Paris, France and maintains an honorary consulate in Monaco.
  • Monaco has an embassy in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

| ||25 July 2006||Diplomatic relations were established on 25 July 2006.

  • Belgium recognised Montenegro as an independent country on 23 June 2006.
  • Belgium is accredited to Montenegro from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.
  • Montenegro has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and NATO.
  • Belgium is an EU member and Montenegro is an EU candidate.

|--valign="top"

|||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.

  • Belgium recognised North Macedonia as an independent country on 12 October 1993.
  • Belgium is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and NATO.
  • Belgium is an EU member and North Macedonia is an EU candidate.

|--valign="top"

| ||14 November 1905||Diplomatic relations were established on 14 November 1905.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Oslo.
  • Norway has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.

|--valign="top"

| ||6 March 1919||See Belgium–Poland relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 6 March 1919.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|--valign="top"

| ||20 February 1834||See Belgium–Portugal relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 20 February 1834 when has been accredited chargé d'affaires of Belgium to Portugal C. Serruys.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Lisbon.
  • Portugal has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|--valign="top"

| ||29 March 1880||Diplomatic relations were established on 29 March 1880.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Bucharest.
  • Romania has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|--valign="top"

|||11 April 1853||See Belgium–Russia relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 11 April 1853.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Moscow and a consulate-general in Saint Petersburg.
  • Russia has an embassy in Brussels.

|--valign="top"

|||<!--Date started-->15 March 1886

|See Belgium–Serbia relations

  • Belgium recognised Yugoslavia as an independent country on 22 April 1996.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Belgrade.
  • Serbia has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Belgium is an EU member and Serbia is an EU candidate.

|--valign="top"

|||1 January 1993

|Diplomatic relations were established on 1 January 1993.

  • Belgium recognised Slovakia as an independent country on 16 February 1993, effective from 1 January 1993.

Belgium recognised Slovenia as an independent country effective from 15 January 1992.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Madrid.
  • Spain has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.

|--valign="top"

| ||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.

  • Belgium has an embassy in Stockholm.
  • Sweden is accredited to Belgium from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO and of the Council of Europe.

|--valign="top"

|||10 March 1992||See Belgium–Ukraine relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992.

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.

  • Belgium recognised Ukraine as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991.
  • The United Kingdom is accredited to Belgium through its embassy in Brussels.

Both countries share common membership of the Atlantic Co-operation Pact, the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court, NATO, the OECD, the OSCE, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Classified Information Protection Agreement, a Double Taxation Convention, and a Maritime Cooperation Agreement.

|}

Oceania

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

!width="15%"| Country

!width="12%"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

|--valign="top"

| ||10 October 1947|| See Australia–Belgium relations

Diplomatic relations were established on 10 October 1947.

  • Australia has an embassy in Brussels.
  • Belgium has an embassy in Canberra and honorary consulates in Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
  • There are a number of Australian cemeteries and war memorials (partially) dedicated to Australian soldiers in the Belgian province of West Flanders, being one of the reasons why many Australians still visit Belgium today.
  • Over 2 dozen Australia–Belgium bilateral treaties cover extradition, trade, taxation, and social security.

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Protocol

The kingdom of Belgium recognises 4 types of incoming visits in Belgium. They are ranked in precedence and protocol.

  1. The State Visit, formal invitations by the King of the Belgians.
  2. The Official Visit, invitation by the Belgian Prime minister.
  3. The Working Visit, invitation by an ambassador, the cost is not paid by the Belgian state.
  4. Cordial visits.
  5. Visits of courtoisie
  6. Visits to international Organisations
  7. The Private Visit, at own initiative, Belgian authorities only provide security if requested.

See also

  • Belgian order of precedence
  • List of diplomatic missions in Belgium
  • List of diplomatic missions of Belgium
  • Visa requirements for Belgian citizens

References

  • Egmont Institute Commentary July 2014
  • Belgian ministry of foreign affairs
  • Belgian directorate-general for development co-operation
  • Flemish service for foreign affairs
  • Francophone service for foreign affairs