Western Europe
1. Introduction
This Service keeps track of developments in Belgium’s bilateral relations with the USA, Canada, the Member States of the European Union up to the major round of enlargement in 2004, western European countries which are not EU members (Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) and a number of other states (the Holy See, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein and Monaco).
The accredited Belgian embassies, consulates general and diplomatic consulates in these countries fall under the remit of the Directorate-General for Bilateral Affairs and report – especially on economic and political issues – to the Central Administration.
Specifically bilateral matters range from issues related to Belgian commercial and economic interests (specifically Belgian investment abroad and foreign investment in Belgium), specific political, cultural, scientific and defence issues and issues that affect Belgium’s tax policy, through to participation in bilateral conferences.
Other countries’ bilateral embassies in Belgium also contact the Service about the events they are organising. To this end, the Service receives civil servants and embassy staff from those countries and tells them about Belgium’s standpoints in all the domains that are part of Belgian foreign policy.
Although the Belgian federal authorities take care of Belgium’s political relations with these countries, the promotion of foreign trade is a competence of the Belgian Regions, while cultural and educational relations fall under the remit of the Belgian Communities. Belgium’s efforts to attract foreign investment are handled jointly by the Belgian embassies and consulates general and by the Regions if they are represented in the country in question.
2. Themes
In its relations with western European countries, Belgium pays due attention to the multilateral dimension of its external action (e.g. biodiversity, greenhouse gases and anti-personnel mines).
Belgium is committed to its multilateral role and is therefore heavily and proactively involved in the issues handled by international organisations (United Nations, Council of Europe, OECD, etc.). Here, the influence of Belgian diplomacy goes far beyond the country’s actual intrinsic demographic and economic weight.
Belgium closely follows and contributes to the transatlantic dialogue, which brings together the European Union with the USA and Canada at regular intervals (through formal and informal summits of heads of state and a continuous dialogue in political and economic/trade issues and issues relating to justice and to home affairs). This dialogue is important for the partners because it brings together countries sharing a basic set of shared values and cultural and historical interests. They may be regional policy issues such as the Middle East peace process, the West’s relations with Iran, the adoption of a consistent approach in Afghanistan and Pakistan and relations with the new economic giants of the 21st century, such as China and India. All of the issues involve current themes (climate, energy security, human rights, disarmament, relations with neighbouring countries, etc.).
Finally, Belgium has a long-standing tradition of working with countries in the Great Lakes area of Africa, which has enabled us to acquire expertise there that is valued by our partners.
3. The European Union
With regard to the EU, Belgium has always been in favour of far-reaching integration.
In legislative terms, Belgium remains very committed to the Community method. This method is based on a scenario in which the Council of the European Union takes decisions on a qualified majority basis and on an equal footing with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European Commission.
Belgium firmly believes in consolidating the EU institutions and expanding their competences. In pursuing this goal, Belgium played a major role in the preparatory work for the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, which after referendums in France and the Netherlands became the Treaty of Lisbon, signed on 13 December 2007.
Belgium is also a keen advocate of a more visible and at the same time more effective and more consistent foreign policy on the part of the EU and its Member States.
4. Belgium’s relations with neighbouring countries
For both historical and geographical reasons, Belgium has very close relations with its neighbouring countries, i.e. the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands and Germany.
Luxembourg
The Belgian federal government contributed to the development of cross-border cooperation with Luxembourg by participating in negotiations on the new SaarLorLux cross-border cooperation agreement of 23 May 2005. The Benelux Unit is responsible for implementing this agreement and for dealing with cross-border issues involving Luxembourg.
The Service also serves as the Belgian secretariat of the Belgian-Luxembourg Administrative Commission (CABL) set up pursuant to the Convention on Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union signed in 2002. The CABL meets several times a year and serves to exchange information regarding areas with shared competences and to decide on joint initiatives (promotion of exports and attracting investments). The two countries look at joint investment and maritime agreements and also prepare joint governmental council meetings (Gaichel consultation).
France
Cross-border cooperation is the main area showcasing the excellent relations of the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region and the French Community with northern France.
To develop the existing cross-border cooperation and provide a legal framework for it, the Belgian federal government has taken various measures over the past few years, including:
• creating a ‘Eurométropole’ encompassing the cities of Lille, Kortrijk and Tournai, in the context of cross-border cooperation with the Nord–Pas de Calais region (January 2008);
• establishing the West Flanders/Flanders-Dunkirk-Côte d’Opale European Grouping of territorial co-operation (EGTC) (April 2009).
The Netherlands
The Belgian federal government and its Regions and Communities have extensive relations with the Netherlands.
To continue strengthening the ties between the two countries, the Belgian federal and Dutch governments regularly hold joint Ministerial Council meetings (known as ‘Thalassa’ meetings).
The Service also serves as a secretariat preparing these events.
Federal Republic of Germany
The Service handles cross-border issues with the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Dutch and German governments. Specifically, there is the important matter of the ‘Iron Rhine’ freight railway corridor that is intended to connect the Port of Antwerp with its hinterland in Germany.
Benelux
The Service also serves as the secretariat for Benelux activities. It is the point of contact for Benelux matters within the Administration. At Belgian level, the Service chairs the administrative working parties within the Benelux General Secretariat. It also organises the internal consultation meetings with the Regions and Communities and represents the federal government during negotiations on the new Benelux Treaty and the revision of the convention establishing the Benelux Parliament, with a view to modernising that institution.
The Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine
Like the countries along the Rhine (the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland), Belgium is a fully-fledged member of the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine (CCNR), created by the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 and therefore the oldest European organisation with regulatory powers. Its key objectives are to ensure the prosperity of navigation on the Rhine and to increase the competitiveness of navigation.
It is represented on the CCNR by two government commissioners. The Service participates in the Commission’s work, which aims to ensure safe navigation on the Rhine and protection of the environment. The head of the Service is the holder of the presidency of the CCNR in 2010 and 2011.
United Kingdom
The 12th edition of the Belgo-British Conference took place on 17 and 18 October 2011 in London. The theme selected for this year’s annual bilateral conference was: Employment and Growth: comparing UK and Belgian Policies inside the Europe 2020 framework.
This conference has been very successful and gathered together heads of business, academics and journalists, as well as influential political decision-makers from both countries, in order to exchange experiences on labour policy and social services in periods of crisis, to discuss the youth and aging problems in the labour market, and to more closely study international labour mobility.
During the official dinner in Lancaster House, David Lindington, British Minister for Europe, gave an address on the good relations and historical ties between Belgium and the United Kingdom. The British Minister for Employment was present and gave an address on the second day on employment and pensions. The initiative for this conference was taken by former prime ministers Tony Blair and Guy Verhofstadt when they met on 30 November 1999.
The Belgo-British Conference is organised by the FPS Foreign Affairs and the Egmont Institute on the Belgian side and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Council on the British side. The Conference is managed by a Board and is primarily financed by external business and organisational sponsors.
