2007 (PDF, 2.81 MB) - Belgium

South-East Europe
Western Balkans
Belgium is playing an active role in the international
community’s efforts to help the western Balkan
countries, which are continuing on the path of stabilisation,
with the aim of these countries joining the
European Union and NATO.
Belgium’s engagement is clear from a series of
projects covered by our preventive diplomacy and
conflict prevention budgets. These projects address,
for example, the return of displaced persons (Kosovo
and Croatia), the fight against the proliferation of
light weapons (Kosovo), teaching young people democratic
values (Croatia and Serbia), mine clearance
(Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina), reinforcement of
the legal system (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and reinforcement
of regional cooperation.
End of participation in Althea
Belgium had to end its participation in the EU (EUFOR)
mission Operation Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina
due to commitments elsewhere. This operation was
drastically scaled down in 2007 anyway in view of
the continuing stabilisation of the security situation.
There are still two Belgians taking part in the
European Union Police Mission (EUPM).
200 soldiers in Kosovo
Belgium’s contribution in Kosovo consists of about
200 soldiers for the NATO peacekeeping force
(KFOR). Belgium is also actively participating in the
preparations for a European police and justice mission,
with police officers and magistrates undergoing
training to take part. Other experts are already
in the field where they are drawing up a plan for the
mission.
Support for stabilisation and association
process
In the EU, Belgium continued to offer political support
to the stabilisation and association process in which
the western Balkan states are currently involved. This
process aims to bring EU membership closer for them.
Each country will be judged on its own merits when
deciding on whether it can join the organisation.
In this connection Belgium is keeping an especially
close eye on ensuring that the conditions the EU has
set are actually observed, and is reserving special attention
for seeing that the countries concerned tackle
the impunity of those who have committed crimes
against humanity or who are guilty of genocide.
Security Council mission
In the UN Security Council Belgium is taking part in discussions
about the international community’s guardianship
of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo and led
a successful Security Council fact-finding mission to
Kosovo in April to look at this issue.
Numerous meetings were held between senior officials
from Belgium and from the western Balkan
states. Minister De Gucht made a tour of the region in
January, taking in for example Zagreb and Belgrade. He
also had frequent contacts in Brussels with his ministerial
counterparts from Serbia, Albania, Montenegro
and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Turkey and Cyprus
Turkey
Belgium continues to support Turkey joining the
European Union. However, it is concerned about the
slackening pace of political reform in the country.
Belgium is using its preventive diplomacy budget to
support a range of initiatives in Turkey.
Cyprus
Belgium supports the multilateral efforts to reunify
Cyprus, in line with international standards, UN resolutions
and the founding principles of the European Union.
Belgium insists in this regard that the parties concerned
implement in good faith the 8th July Agreement.
Transatlantic relations
United States
2007 continued to see Belgium investing considerable
energy in its relations with the United States of
America. King Albert and Queen Paola combined their
working visit to the United Nations with a visit to
New York City, where they remembered the victims
of ‘9/11’ at Ground Zero.
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