Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs

Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Philippe Goffin on the 20th anniversary of two Protocols to the UN Children's Rights Convention, May 25, 2020.

We regret the announcement by the US Government of its intention to withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, although we share their concerns about implementation of the Treaty clauses by Russia.

We commend the efforts of the Burundi’s who have resolutely engaged in the election process, some at risk to their own lives or physical integrity. This process led to the triple ballot box of May 20th, a crucial step in consolidating the country’s political and institutional stability.

Today, it is exactly 30 years since the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses. Since 2004, May 17th has been International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), a day on which sexual diversity is celebrated, but also a day to draw attention to discrimination and violence against the LGBTI community.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Development Cooperation Alexander De Croo expresses his explicit support for the work carried out by the Red Cross on this International Red Cross Day. He would like to thank each member of the Movement for the partnership that has existed for years and for the mobilization during this coronavirus crisis. Our country is pledging 5 million euros in the fight against Covid-19 to the International Federation of the Red Cross.

We, the Ministers of South Africa, Sweden, Argentina, Australia, Albania, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cabo Verde, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Italy, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Namibia, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, are honored to issue this joint statement on behalf of the people and governments of 58 countries.

On World Press Freedom Day, we celebrate the vital role played by a free press. Foreign Minister Philippe Goffin stresses that an independent and reliable press is an important indicator of a democratic and open society, which can only function properly when its citizens are well informed.

On the 29th of April, after months of negotiations lead by Belgium, the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict reached an agreement on recommendations on how to counter violations of children’s rights in Afghanistan.