Belgiumportal |
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.
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.
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. [1]
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.
List of countries which Belgium maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Mexico | 15 June 1827 [2] |
2 | United Kingdom | 1 December 1830 [3] |
3 | France | August 1831 [4] |
4 | United States | 6 January 1832 [5] |
— | Holy See | 17 July 1834 [6] |
5 | Brazil | 22 September 1834 [7] |
6 | Portugal | July 1834 [8] |
7 | Sweden | 23 February 1837 [9] |
8 | Denmark | 25 February 1837 [10] |
9 | Greece | 30 November 1838 [11] |
10 | Netherlands | 3 August 1839 [12] |
11 | Guatemala | 1841 [13] |
12 | Switzerland | 30 September 1845 [14] |
13 | Peru | 16 May 1850 [15] |
14 | Bolivia | 27 September 1850 [16] |
15 | Italy | 24 February 1851 [17] |
16 | Uruguay | 16 September 1853 [18] |
17 | Russia | 1853 [19] |
18 | Honduras | 27 March 1858 [20] |
19 | Nicaragua | 18 May 1858 [21] |
20 | Costa Rica | 26 July 1858 [22] |
21 | Chile | 31 August 1858 [23] |
22 | Argentina | 3 March 1860 [24] |
23 | Japan | 1 August 1866 [25] |
24 | Liberia | 5 June 1867 [26] |
25 | Colombia | 1873 [27] |
26 | Bulgaria | 11 December 1879 [28] |
27 | Romania | 29 March 1880 [29] |
28 | Venezuela | 21 April 1880 [30] |
29 | Thailand | 21 July 1883 [31] |
30 | Serbia | 15 March 1886 [32] |
31 | El Salvador | 1 July 1890 [33] |
32 | Dominican Republic | 10 April 1891 [34] |
33 | Luxembourg | 18 April 1892 [35] |
34 | Paraguay | 15 February 1894 [36] |
35 | Iran | 18 November 1889 [37] |
36 | Haiti | 15 January 1902 [38] |
37 | Cuba | 18 August 1902 [39] |
38 | Norway | 14 November 1905 [40] |
39 | Panama | 15 February 1908 [41] |
40 | Poland | 6 March 1919 [42] |
41 | Finland | 9 July 1919 [43] |
42 | Czech Republic | 21 September 1919 [44] |
43 | Austria | 16 August 1920 [45] |
44 | Spain | 21 January 1921 [46] |
45 | Hungary | 20 February 1922 [47] |
46 | Egypt | 10 May 1922 [48] |
47 | Afghanistan | 26 February 1923 [49] |
48 | Ethiopia | 25 March 1923 [50] |
49 | Turkey | 10 February 1925 [51] |
50 | Monaco | 2 October 1931 [52] |
51 | Ireland | 7 September 1932 [53] |
52 | South Africa | 28 August 1933 [54] |
53 | Canada | 3 January 1939 [55] |
54 | Lebanon | 25 November 1944 [56] |
55 | Iceland | 9 November 1945 [57] |
56 | Syria | 20 March 1946 [58] |
57 | Philippines | 4 July 1946 [59] |
58 | Iraq | 5 December 1946 [60] |
59 | Jordan | 4 May 1947 [61] |
60 | India | 20 September 1947 [62] |
61 | Australia | 10 October 1947 [63] |
62 | New Zealand | 27 November 1947 [64] |
63 | Pakistan | 20 February 1948 [65] |
64 | Indonesia | 3 October 1949 [66] |
65 | Israel | 15 January 1950 [67] |
66 | Germany | 27 June 1951 [68] |
67 | Sri Lanka | 27 July 1953 [69] |
68 | Myanmar | 19 September 1953 [70] |
69 | Saudi Arabia | 10 April 1955 [71] |
70 | Libya | 15 May 1956 [72] |
71 | Morocco | 30 July 1956 [73] |
72 | Sudan | 23 July 1956 [74] |
73 | Malaysia | 1957 [75] |
74 | Ghana | 2 October 1959 [76] |
75 | Guinea | 28 January 1960 [77] |
76 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 2 July 1960 [78] |
77 | Somalia | 5 July 1960 [79] |
78 | Gabon | 3 October 1960 [38] |
79 | Cyprus | 1960 [80] |
80 | Benin | 3 January 1961 [81] |
81 | Senegal | 1 February 1961 [82] |
82 | Nigeria | 4 February 1961 [83] |
83 | Ivory Coast | 15 March 1961 [84] |
84 | Mauritania | 13 April 1961 [85] |
85 | South Korea | 2 May 1961 [86] |
86 | Chad | 27 June 1961 [87] |
87 | Sierra Leone | 12 July 1961 [88] |
88 | Niger | 22 September 1961 [89] |
89 | Burkina Faso | 17 October 1961 [90] |
90 | Republic of the Congo | 20 February 1962 [91] |
91 | Cameroon | 14 March 1962 [92] |
92 | Burundi | 18 July 1962 [93] |
93 | Rwanda | 18 July 1962 [94] |
94 | Tanzania | 21 August 1962 [95] |
95 | Algeria | 11 December 1962 [96] |
96 | Tunisia | 1962 [97] |
97 | Central African Republic | 13 June 1963 [98] |
98 | Mali | 1 August 1963 [99] |
99 | Nepal | 19 August 1963 [100] |
100 | Kuwait | 8 April 1964 [101] |
101 | Kenya | 29 April 1964 [102] |
102 | Madagascar | 15 July 1964 [103] |
103 | Zambia | 6 December 1964 [104] |
104 | Uganda | 1964 [105] |
105 | Malta | June 1965 [106] |
106 | Togo | 29 November 1965 [107] |
107 | Malawi | 28 January 1966 [108] |
108 | Gambia | 7 February 1966 [109] |
109 | Singapore | 10 October 1966 [110] |
110 | Jamaica | 25 July 1967 [111] |
111 | Botswana | 24 August 1967 [112] |
112 | Lesotho | 24 August 1967 [112] |
113 | Cambodia | 19 October 1967 [113] |
114 | Laos | 12 December 1967 [114] |
115 | Mauritius | 1968 [115] |
116 | Eswatini | 14 November 1969 [116] |
117 | Trinidad and Tobago | 10 May 1970 [117] |
118 | Barbados | 30 October 1970 [118] |
119 | Albania | 13 November 1970 [119] |
120 | Guyana | 10 June 1971 [120] |
121 | Mongolia | 8 July 1971 [121] |
122 | Tonga | 16 August 1971 [122] |
123 | China | 25 October 1971 [123] |
124 | United Arab Emirates | 8 December 1971 [124] |
125 | Fiji | September 1972 [125] |
126 | Vietnam | 22 March 1973 [126] |
127 | Bangladesh | 15 May 1973 [127] |
128 | Samoa | May 1973 [128] |
129 | Qatar | 21 November 1973 [129] |
130 | Bahamas | 12 December 1973 [130] |
131 | Oman | 22 May 1974 [131] |
132 | Nauru | 4 July 1975 [132] |
133 | Mozambique | 5 December 1975 [133] |
134 | Seychelles | 1 July 1976 [134] |
135 | Papua New Guinea | 16 September 1976 [135] |
136 | Suriname | 1 October 1976 [136] |
137 | Angola | 15 October 1976 [137] |
138 | Comoros | 15 November 1976 [138] |
139 | Cape Verde | 12 July 1977 [139] |
140 | Guinea-Bissau | 2 August 1977 [140] |
141 | Maldives | 3 October 1977 [141] |
142 | Djibouti | 19 June 1978 [142] |
143 | Solomon Islands | 28 February 1979 [143] |
144 | Zimbabwe | 24 April 1980 [144] |
145 | Bahrain | 2 December 1980 [145] |
146 | Dominica | 1980 [146] |
147 | Saint Lucia | 1980 [147] |
148 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 1980 [148] |
149 | Vanuatu | 10 June 1981 [149] |
150 | Belize | 1982 [150] |
151 | Brunei | 3 May 1984 [151] |
152 | San Marino | 26 March 1985 [152] |
153 | Antigua and Barbuda | 30 October 1985 [150] |
154 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 1986 [153] |
155 | Namibia | 21 September 1990 [154] |
156 | Estonia | 5 September 1991 [155] |
157 | Latvia | 5 September 1991 [156] |
158 | Lithuania | 5 September 1991 [157] |
159 | Slovenia | 5 March 1992 [158] |
160 | Armenia | 10 March 1992 [159] |
161 | Belarus | 10 March 1992 [160] |
162 | Ukraine | 10 March 1992 [161] |
163 | Uzbekistan | 10 March 1992 [162] |
164 | Moldova | 11 March 1992 [163] |
165 | Liechtenstein | 13 March 1992 [164] |
166 | Kyrgyzstan | 25 March 1992 [165] |
167 | Tajikistan | 29 April 1992 [166] |
168 | Georgia | 5 June 1992 [167] |
169 | Azerbaijan | 17 June 1992 [168] |
170 | Kazakhstan | 18 August 1992 [169] |
171 | Croatia | 25 September 1992 [170] |
172 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993 [171] |
173 | Turkmenistan | 1 February 1993 [172] |
174 | North Macedonia | 14 February 1994 [173] |
175 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 March 1994 [174] |
176 | Eritrea | 31 March 1994 [175] |
177 | Andorra | 15 December 1994 [176] |
178 | Marshall Islands | 29 May 1996 [177] |
179 | Federated States of Micronesia | 28 October 1996 [178] |
180 | North Korea | 23 December 2000 [179] |
181 | East Timor | 3 February 2003 [180] |
182 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 7 July 2004 [181] |
— | Cook Islands | 6 April 2005 [182] |
183 | Montenegro | 25 June 2006 [183] |
— | Kosovo | 10 April 2008 [184] |
184 | Bhutan | 21 January 2009 [185] |
185 | Palau | 18 May 2010 [186] |
186 | South Sudan | 14 October 2011 [187] |
187 | Ecuador | Unknown |
188 | Equatorial Guinea | Unknown |
189 | Grenada | Unknown |
190 | Kiribati | Unknown |
191 | Tuvalu | Unknown |
192 | Yemen | Unknown |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Congo-Kinshasa | 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. [188]
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Eritrea |
| |
South Sudan | 14 October 2011 | Diplomatic relations were established on 14 October 2011. [190]
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Canada | 3 January 1939 | See Belgium–Canada relations Diplomatic relations were established on 3 January 1939. [192]
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Cuba | 18 August 1902 | Diplomatic relations were established on 18 August 1902. [193] In 1837, Belgian negotiating sale right ownership of Cuba from Spanish government. [194]
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Mexico | 19 November 1839 | See Belgium–Mexico relations Diplomatic relations were established on 19 November 1839. [15] In 1836, Belgium—itself newly independent—recognized the independence of Mexico. [195] In 1919, the Belgian chamber of commerce of Mexico was established. [195] Belgium opened its embassy in Mexico on 5 June 1954. [196]
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Peru | 16 May 1850 | Diplomatic relations were established on 16 May 1850. [15]
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United States | 9 February 1832 | See 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. [197] 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.
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Uruguay | 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. [198]
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Armenia | 10 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992. [199]
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Azerbaijan | 17 June 1992 | See Azerbaijan–Belgium relations Diplomatic relations were established on 17 June 1992. [201]
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China | 25 October 1971 | See Belgium–China relations Diplomatic relations were established on 25 October 1971. [202] |
Georgia | 5 June 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 5 June 1992. [203]
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India | 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. [205] |
Indonesia | 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. [206]
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Israel | See Belgium–Israel relations
| |
Japan | 1 August 1866 | See Belgium–Japan relations Diplomatic relations were established on 1 August 1866. [207]
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Kazakhstan | 25 August 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 25 August 1992. [208] |
Kyrgyzstan | 25 March 1992 | See Belgium–Turkey relations Diplomatic relations were established on 25 March 1992. [209]
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Malaysia | 12 December 1957 | See Belgium–Malaysia relations Diplomatic relations were established on 12 December 1957. [210]
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Pakistan | 20 February 1948 | See Belgium–Pakistan relations Diplomatic relations were established on 20 February 1948. [211]
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. [ citation needed ] |
Philippines | 18 May 1949 | See Belgium–Philippines relations Diplomatic relations were established on 18 May 1949. [212]
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South Korea | 2 May 1961 | See Belgium–South Korea relations Diplomatic relations were established on 2 May 1961. [213]
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Syria | 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. [217] |
Turkey | 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. [220]
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Turkmenistan | 1 February 1993 | See Belgium–Turkey relations Diplomatic relations were established on 1 February 1993. [221]
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Uzbekistan | 10 March 1992 | See Belgium–Turkey relations Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992. [222]
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Andorra | 15 December 1994 | Diplomatic relations were established on 15 December 1994. [223]
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Austria |
| |
Belarus | 10 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992. [224]
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Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 March 1994 | Diplomatic relations were established on 3 March 1994. [225]
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Bulgaria | 11 December 1879 | Diplomatic relations were established on 11 December 1879. [226]
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Croatia | 10 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992. [229]
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Cyprus |
| |
Czech Republic | 3 June 1919 | Belgium and Czechoslovakia established diplomatic relations on 3 June 1919. [230]
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Denmark | 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 [232] [233]
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Estonia | 26 January 1921 | Diplomatic relations were established first time on 21 January 1921. Diplomatic relations re-established on 5 September 1991. [234]
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Finland | 9 July 1919 | Diplomatic relations were established on 9 July 1919. [235]
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France | 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. [12]
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Germany | See Belgium–Germany relations They are both members of the European Union and NATO. Also, the majority of the people in East Belgium speak German.
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Greece | 30 November 1838 | See Belgium–Greece relations Diplomatic relations were established on 30 November 1838 when has been accredited Chargé d'Affaires of Belgium to Greece M. Benjamin Mary. [12]
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Holy See | 21 July 1832 | Diplomatic relations were established on 21 July 1832 when has been accredited Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium to Roman states and Italian states (Holy See) Viscount Vilain XIIII. [236]
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Iceland | 9 November 1945 | Diplomatic relations were established on 9 November 1945. [237]
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Ireland | 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. [238]
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Italy | 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. [239]
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Kosovo | 23 April 2008 | See Belgium–Kosovo relations Diplomatic relations were established on 23 April 2008. [240]
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Latvia | 26 January 1921 | Diplomatic relations were established on 26 January 1921. [243] Diplomatic relations re-established on 5 September 1991. [244] |
Lithuania | 27 December 1922 | Diplomatic relations were established first time on 27 December 1922.Diplomatic relations re-established on 5 September 1991. [245] |
Luxembourg | 9 July 1892 | See Belgium–Luxembourg relations Diplomatic relations were established on 9 July 1892. [246]
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Malta | June 1965 | Diplomatic relations were established in June 1965. [247]
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Moldova | 11 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 11 March 1992. [248] |
Monaco | 2 October 1931 | Diplomatic relations were established on 2 October 1931. [249]
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Montenegro | 25 July 2006 | Diplomatic relations were established on 25 July 2006. [250]
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Netherlands | 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. [12] |
North Macedonia | 14 February 1994 | Diplomatic relations were established on 14 February 1994. [252]
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Norway | 14 November 1905 | Diplomatic relations were established on 14 November 1905. [254] |
Poland | 6 March 1919 | Diplomatic relations were established on 6 March 1919. [255]
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Portugal | 20 February 1834 | Diplomatic relations were established on 20 February 1834 when has been accredited chargé d'affaires of Belgium to Portugal C. Serruys. [256]
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Romania | 29 March 1880 | Diplomatic relations were established on 29 March 1880. [257]
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Russia | 11 April 1853 | See Belgium–Russia relations Diplomatic relations were established on 11 April 1853. [258]
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Serbia | 15 March 1886 | |
Slovakia | 1 January 1993 | Diplomatic relations were established on 1 January 1993. [260]
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Slovenia | 5 March 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 5 March 1992. [261] Belgium recognised Slovenia as an independent country effective from 15 January 1992. [200]
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Spain | 18 September 1832 | See Belgium–Spain relations Diplomatic relations were established on 18 September 1832 when has been accredited chargé d'affaires of Belgium to Spain J.-B. Kaufmann. [262]
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Sweden | 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. [263]
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Ukraine | 10 March 1992 | See Belgium–Ukraine relations Diplomatic relations were established on 10 March 1992. [264] 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. [265] |
United Kingdom | 1 December 1830 | See Belgium–United Kingdom relations Diplomatic relations were established on 1 December 1830 when John Ponsonby has been appointed as special mission to provisional government. [266] Historically, the two countries have trading links going back to the 10th century, especially wool trade from England to the County of Flanders. In the early years of the Hundred Years' War, Edward III allied with the nobles of the Low Countries and the burghers of Flanders against France. |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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Australia | 10 October 1947 | Diplomatic relations were established on 10 October 1947. [267]
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The kingdom of Belgium recognises 4 types of incoming visits in Belgium. They are ranked in precedence and protocol. [268]
Burundi's relations with its neighbours have often been affected by security concerns. During the Burundian Civil War, hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees have at various times crossed to neighboring Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some Burundian rebel groups have used neighboring countries as bases for insurgent activities. The 1993 embargo placed on Burundi by regional states hurt diplomatic relations with its neighbors; relations have improved since the 1999 suspension of these sanctions.
The foreign relations of Chad are significantly influenced by the desire for oil revenue and investment in Chadian oil industry and support for former Chadian President Idriss Déby. Chad is officially non-aligned but maintains close relations with France, its former colonial power. Relations with neighbouring countries Libya and Sudan vary periodically. Lately, the Idris Déby regime waged an intermittent proxy war with Sudan. Aside from those two countries, Chad generally enjoys good relations with its neighbouring states.
Cameroon's noncontentious, low-profile approach to foreign relations puts it squarely in the middle of other African and developing country states on major issues. It supports the principles of non-interference in the affairs of third world countries and increased assistance to underdeveloped countries. Cameroon is an active participant in the United Nations, where its voting record demonstrates its commitment to causes that include international peacekeeping, the rule of law, environmental protection, and Third World economic development. In the UN and other human rights fora, Cameroon's non-confrontational approach has generally led it to avoid criticizing other countries.
President François Bozizé has said that one of his priorities is to get the support of the international community. This has indeed been visible in his relations to donor countries and international organisations. At the same time it is difficult to have an open policy towards neighbouring countries when they are used as safe haven by rebels regularly attacking Central African Republic (C.A.R.), or when one allied country is in war with another.
In November 1975, Comoros became the 143rd member of the United Nations. The new nation was defined as consisting of the entire archipelago, despite the fact that France maintains control over Mayotte.
Gabon has followed a non-aligned policy, advocating dialogue in international affairs and recognizing both parts of divided countries. Since 1973, the number of countries establishing diplomatic relations with Gabon has doubled. In inter-African affairs, Gabon espouses development by evolution rather than revolution and favors regulated free enterprise as the system most likely to promote rapid economic growth. Concerned about stability in Central Africa and the potential for intervention, Gabon has been directly involved with mediation efforts in Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Angola, and former Zaire. In December 1999, through the mediation efforts of President Bongo, a peace accord was signed in the Republic of Congo between the government and most leaders of an armed rebellion. President Bongo has remained involved in the continuing Congolese peace process. Gabon has been a strong proponent of regional stability, and Gabonese armed forces played an important role in the UN Peacekeeping Mission to the Central African Republic (MINURCA).
The foreign relations of Ghana are controlled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana. Ghana is active in the United Nations and many of its specialised agencies, the World Trade Organization, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States. Ghana generally follows the consensus of the Non-aligned Movement and the OAU on economic and political issues not directly affecting its own interests. Ghana has been extremely active in international peacekeeping activities under UN auspices in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Rwanda, and the Balkans, in addition to an eight-year sub-regional initiative with its ECOWAS partners to develop and then enforce a cease-fire in Liberia. Ghana is also a member of the International Criminal Court.
The foreign relations of Guinea, including those with its West African neighbors, have improved steadily since 1985.
Since 1980, the foreign relations of Iraq have been influenced by a number of controversial decisions by the Saddam Hussein administration. Hussein had good relations with the Soviet Union and a number of western countries such as France and Germany, who provided him with advanced weapons systems. He also developed a tenuous relation with the United States, who supported him during the Iran–Iraq War. However, the Invasion of Kuwait that triggered the Gulf War brutally changed Iraq's relations with the Arab World and the West. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and others were among the countries that supported Kuwait in the UN coalition. After the Hussein administration was toppled by the 2003 U.S. invasion, the governments that succeeded it have now tried to establish relations with various nations.
Lesotho's geographic location makes it extremely vulnerable to political and economic developments in South Africa. Its capital is the small city of Maseru. It is a member of many regional economic organizations including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Lesotho also is active in the United Nations, the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, and many other international organizations. In addition to the Republic of Korea, the United States, South Africa, Ireland, People's Republic of China, Libya, and the European Union all currently retain resident diplomatic missions in Lesotho. Foreign relations of Lesotho are administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
Madagascar has diplomatic relations with many countries, both individual bilateral relations and by virtue of its membership of African and other regional blocs. International aid has been received from the IMF and the World Bank, and a national environmental plan supported by the World Bank and USAID began in 1990.
Morocco is a member of the United Nations and belongs to the African Union, Arab League, Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement and the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD). Morocco's relationships vary greatly between African, Arab, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Western states. Morocco has had strong ties with the West in order to gain economic and political benefits. France and Spain remain the primary trade partners, as well as the primary creditors and foreign investors in Morocco. From the total foreign investments in Morocco, the European Union invests approximately 73.5%, whereas the Arab world invests only 19.3%. As of 2009, many countries from the Persian Gulf and Maghreb regions are also becoming more involved in large-scale development projects in Morocco.
For the two decades preceding the Republic of the Congo's 1991 National Conference, the country was firmly in the socialist camp, allied principally with the Soviet Union and other Eastern bloc nations. Educational, economic, and foreign aid links between Congo and its Eastern bloc allies were extensive, with the Congolese military and security forces receiving significant Soviet, East German, and Cuban assistance.
Rwanda has diplomatic relations with most members of the United Nations and with the Holy See.
Eswatini is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Southern African Development Community. Currently, the Kingdom of Eswatini maintains 11 embassies and High Commissions along with 15 consulates and other representations around the world, while there are five embassies and High Commissions in Eswatini as well as 14 consulates and other representations.
The foreign relations of Switzerland are the primary responsibility of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Some international relations of Switzerland are handled by other departments of the federal administration of Switzerland.
Tanzania's first president, Julius Nyerere also was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and, during the Cold War era, Tanzania played an important role in regional and international organisations, such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the front-line states, the G-77, and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). One of Africa's best-known elder statesmen, Nyerere was personally active in many of these organisations, and served chairman of the OAU (1984–85) and chairman of six front-line states concerned with eliminating apartheid in Southern Africa. Nyerere was also involved with peace negotiations in Burundi until his death. Nyerere's death, on 14 October 1999, is still commemorated annually.
Bolivia traditionally has maintained normal diplomatic relations with all hemispheric states except Chile. Foreign relations are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by the Chancellor of Bolivia, Rogelio Mayta.
The 1955 Austrian State Treaty ended the four-power occupation and recognized Austria as an independent and sovereign state. In October 1955, the Federal Assembly passed a constitutional law in which "Austria declares of her own free will her perpetual neutrality." The second section of this law stated that "in all future times Austria will not join any military alliances and will not permit the establishment of any foreign military bases on her territory." Since then, Austria has shaped its foreign policy on the basis of neutrality.
Democratic Republic of Congo formerly known as Zaire is a country located in central Africa. Its the second largest country in Africa and 11th in the world.
Sommigen zijn matrozen, andere huursoldaten, nog anderen oefenen uiteenlopende beroepen uit: misionarissen, artisanen, handelaars...zonder rekening te houden met drie grote Vlaamse brouwers die in 1537 naar Mexico kwamen op aanvraag van de Vice-Koning, en die beschouwd worden als de pioniers van het brouwen van het Mexicaanse bier.