FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation - Press service (P&C/P)

On 25 August 2011 the International Contact Group on Libya gathered at official level in Istanbul to discuss the recent developments in Libya. The participants welcomed the progress achieved by the Libyan people in shaping their own destiny and in building a free, united and democratic Libya. They commended the National Transitional Council for its successful leadership. The Benelux countries welcome the declaration of the International Contact Group meeting that the NTC at this stage is...

The Benelux is pleased to see that the Libyan people, after 42 years of dictatorship, are so close to realising their aspirations for a free and democratic Libya. Their determination and persistence have culminated in the defeat of the Gaddafi regime. Gaddafi must step down immediately to avoid further bloodshed and to make way for a new Libya. Those who have committed crimes against humanity should answer for their actions before the International Criminal Court. We therefore welcome the arrest...

Jean-Pol Poncelet will not take part in the vote on the nomination of a new Director-general in order to facilitate consensus-building at the IAEA

The Kingdom of Belgium will host the next ASEM Summit of Heads of State and Government (ASEM 8) in Brussels on 4 and 5 October 2010. In this respect Belgium is sounding out Asian and European partners on the global issues that should be dealt with at this Summit. Belgium will take on the Presidency of the European Union from July 1 till December 31, 2010. In this capacity it will host the Summit meeting in the prestigious halls of the Royal Palace in Brussels.

Minister of Foreign affairs Karel De Gucht unreservedly condemns the terrorist attacks led in Mumbai against innocent civilians on this 26th and 27th November.

Mr. Bart Ouvry has joined the press service of the FPS Foreign Affairs as the new spokesperson. The 15th of September, he will succeed Mr. Marc Michielsen.

Mr. Diego LOPEZ GARRIDO, Secretary of State for the European Union of Spain, Mr. Gábor IVÁN, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary and Mr. Olivier CHASTEL, Belgium's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of the Presidency preparation have met today at the Egmont Palace in Brussels in order to discuss the "Trio presidency" of the European Union to be held by the three Member States between 01.01.2010 and 30.06.2011.

Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel De Gucht and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Orgyzko had a fruitful meeting in Kiev on march 03, following their recent contact in Brussels on January 18 and the invitation extended by Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko on January 29 to share valuable Belgian expertise in light of the Ukrainian preparations of the 2012 UEFA Championship.

Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht received on Friday, February 15th, a delegation of Turkmen Ministers, visiting Belgium, headed by Mr. T. Tagiev, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Oil and Gas.