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As part of the fourth activity of the Sablon Diplomatic Circle, Minister Maxime Prévot met with the ambassadors who are members of the circle at the Egmont Palace. He addressed the current successive crises, escalating conflicts, and the erosion of traditional reference points. He stated that Belgium must make its voice heard and that the compass guiding its diplomacy — even in turbulent times — should be: envision the distant, speak with truth, and act with justice.
Envision the distant
Envisioning the distant, he argued, means recognizing that yesterday’s stability is no longer guaranteed. He cited the invasion of Ukraine, unrest in Palestine, Sudan, and Eastern Congo, all linked to systemic crises. He reaffirmed the leadership role Belgium must assume by adopting a diplomacy that anticipates, innovates, and takes initiative. He made a passionate call to strengthen international action based on peace, international law, multilateralism, and humanitarian aid. He also stated that economic and political diplomacy are two sides of the same strategic coin: global influence. One prepares the ground, the other plants the seeds of development. Diversifying partnerships is essential to avoid dependence on traditional alliances.
Speak with truth
Speaking with truth, he emphasized, means daring to say what must be said and maintaining a coherent foreign policy. In the face of the climate emergency, Belgium must leverage its expertise, technology, and innovative companies to support a proactive climate diplomacy.
Act with justice
Acting with justice, according to the minister, means delivering actions, results, and solutions — not just words. Humanitarian aid must be a priority, and cooperation should promote stable development rather than dependency. This involves promoting access to healthcare and investing in women and youth.
Security diplomacy is also essential, including defense and strengthened collaboration with neighboring countries, particularly within the Benelux. He also announced a more ambitious seat policy and a redesign of the Belgian diplomatic network to make it more efficient, modern, and responsive — with the opening of new posts and the closure of others. Brussels, as a global diplomatic hub, has responsibilities: to listen, to welcome, and to engage in dialogue.
During the traditional Q&A session, the Minister addressed several important topics. He noted that women now represent 27% to 30% of the FPS staff, and that one third of the external career personnel are women. He stressed the need for deliberate and sustained progress. He reaffirmed Belgium’s unwavering support for international law and condemned attacks on the International Criminal Court. Regarding EU enlargement, he advocated for a merit-based approach while warning against neglecting candidate countries. He also emphasized the importance of economic diplomacy as a complement to political diplomacy, acknowledged a shift toward more transactional diplomacy, and defended core democratic values. He identified Africa as a priority for fair and trust-based partnerships, calling for a move beyond Eurocentric perspectives in favor of diversified global cooperation.
The evening concluded with a reception where participants were able to continue their discussions with the minister.
