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 — 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.
Diplomatic relations List of countries which Belgium maintains diplomatic relations with: #CountryDate12345—6789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175176177178179180181182183184185—186—187188189190Unknown191Unknown192Unknown
Relationship with countries Africa Country Formal Relations BeganNotes2 July 1960See 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. Belgium recognised Eritrea as an independent country on 14 June 1993.Belgisch Staatsblad 2 July 1993 14 October 2011Diplomatic relations were established on 14 October 2011. Belgium recognised South Sudan as an independent country on 1 December 2011.Belgisch Staatsblad 14 December 2011
Americas Country Formal Relations BeganNotes3 January 1939See 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. 18 August 1902Diplomatic 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.19 November 1839See 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 opened its embassy in Mexico on 5 June 1954. Belgium has an embassy in Mexico City. Mexico has an embassy in Brussels. 16 May 1850Diplomatic relations were established on 16 May 1850.
Belgium has an embassy in Lima. Peru has an embassy in Brussels.9 February 1832See 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.
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. 26 September 1852See 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 Country Formal Relations BeganNotes 10 March 1992Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992. Belgium recognised Armenia as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991.Belgisch Staatsblad 14 April 1992 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. 17 June 1992See Azerbaijan–Belgium relations Diplomatic relations were established on 17 June 1992. Belgium recognised Azerbaijan as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991. Azerbaijan has an embassy in Brussels. Belgium has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). 25 October 1971See Belgium–China relations Diplomatic relations were established on 25 October 1971.
Belgium has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai. China has an embassy in Brussels. 5 June 1992Diplomatic relations were established on 5 June 1992. Belgium recognised Georgia as an independent country on 23 March 1992.Belgisch Staatsblad 8 April 1994 Belgium is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan Georgia has an embassy in Brussels 20 September 1947See 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. 14 June 1950See 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. Belgium has an embassy in Tehran. Iran has an embassy in Brussels.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.1 August 1866See Belgium–Japan relations Diplomatic relations were established on 1 August 1866.
Belgium has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Brussels.25 August 1992See Belgium–Kazakhstan relations Diplomatic relations were established on 25 August 1992. Belgium recognised Kazakhstan as an independent country effective from 31 December 1991. Belgium has an embassy in Astana. Kazakhstan has an embassy in Brussels.25 March 1992See Belgium–Turkey relations Diplomatic relations were established on 25 March 1992. Belgium recognised Kyrgyzstan as an independent country effective from 20 januari 1992.12 December 1957See Belgium–Malaysia relations Diplomatic relations were established on 12 December 1957.
Belgium has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has an embassy in Brussels.20 February 1948See 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. 18 May 1949See Belgium–Philippines relations Diplomatic relations were established on 18 May 1949.
Belgium has an embassy in Manila. Philippines has an embassy in Brussels. Belgium has an embassy in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Brussels.2 May 1961See Belgium–South Korea relations Diplomatic relations were established on 2 May 1961. Belgium has an embassy in Seoul. 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. 20 March 1946See 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.