The Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Francophone centrist) has announced a major restructuring of Belgium’s network of diplomatic posts abroad. Under Mr Prévot’s plans around staffing levels at around 20 Belgian diplomatic missions will be strengthened and 5 new diplomatic post will be opened. Meanwhile, 8 posts will close, including those in Maputo (Mozambique), Sarajevo (Bosina & Herzogovina) and Kuwait City. The Belgian Foreign Ministers says that the overhaul is needed due to the rapidly changing geopolitical context.
Foreign Minister announces major restructuring of Belgian diplomatic posts abroad
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The network of embassies and consulate abroad are Belgium’s “eyes and ears” around the globe. They represent Belgium’s interests and provide an essential like between Belgium and its international partners. However, Mr Prévot says that as geopolitics change it is necessary to adapt Belgium’s network of diplomatic posts abroad to accommodate the shift in global dynamics.
In a statement the Belgian Foreign Minister said that “Trade and tariff wars are forcing us to rethink our network of partners and diversify our reach and influence. (…) Armed conflicts are increasing, reaching Europe’s borders and leading to a massive reorientation of several strategic economic sectors. Development cooperation worldwide is facing budget cuts, which – in addition to geopolitical factors – necessitate a review of how we operate”.
8 diplomatic missions set to close
The changes will be implemented next year and in 2027. 8 diplomatic missions will close. They are the embassies or consulates in Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Conakry (Guinea), Bamako (Mali), Maputo (Mozambique), Havana (Cuba), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Kuwait City (Kuwait) and Guangzhou (China).
Mr Prévot is keen to stress that the restructuring is part of a cost-cutting exercise.
“The closures do not detract from the importance we continue to attach to our bilateral relations with the countries involved.”
Meanwhile, 5 new diplomatic posts will open. These include embassies in Tirana (Albania) and Muscat (Oman). Elsewhere, a number of existing Belgian diplomatic missions will receive additional staff. A pool of “flying diplomats” is also to be set up. They will be deployed to respond quickly to crisis situations will also be created, a flexible group able to respond quickly to crises, cover long-term absences or provide temporary support where needed.