As Russia's assault on Ukraine draws on, Europe's military assistance remains of vital importance. On Friday, King Philippe is on a one-day trip to Romania to thank Belgian soldiers for their services in his capacity as Belgium's Commander-in-Chief.
The King stressed the importance of military cooperation with NATO and also met Romania's President, reported Le Soir.
During a short speech, King Philippe expressed his "enormous anger" towards Russia's aggression. "A sovereign state has been brutally attacked, before our eyes, in flagrant violation of international law... Weapons have claimed lives and plunged our continent into war," he said.
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Belgium's monarch hopes that there may be a way to end the fighting and that "we can rebuild a free and prosperous Ukraine... Our values will triumph: democracy, freedom, solidarity and respect for human rights."
During an economic mission to the United States last week, Philippe's sister, Princess Astrid also spoke of the "brutal war in Europe" and the consequences "of such an unjust conflict on Ukrainian families, their economy, our economies."
Belgian troops before the King
A welcome ceremony was held for the King at Romania's Constanta military airport on the shores of the Black Sea. The King saw the troops together with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, while the respective national anthems were played before the two leaders retired for a bilateral meeting.
The Romanian president then thanked the Belgians for their "significant support for NATO's presence in Romania."
Secretary of State Mathieu Michel, Deputy Prime Minister, accompanied the King on this trip.
