Belgium is set to open two new overseas embassies, further expanding its diplomatic presence in Eastern Europe and the Caucuses, RTBF reports. Belgium will open an embassy in Chisinau in Moldova, and Yerevan in Armenia.
Belgium infrequently opens embassies abroad. In fact, the number of foreign representatives of Belgium abroad has contracted slightly in recent years. Since 2015, Belgium has closed 17 embassies, consulate-generals, and diplomatic missions abroad. Any expansion of its diplomatic presence is typically for geo-political reasons.
This recent expansion is undoubtedly a result of the war in Ukraine. On 2 June, 45 European heads of state met in Chisinau for the second meeting of the European Political Community, a symbolic signal to Russia in the context of threats to Moldova’s independence.
Belgium’s new embassy will likely hope to echo the same message of support. In a press release published by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib, the opening of the new embassies was framed as an act of solidarity with Ukraine and Russia’s neighbours
“The aggression against Ukraine by Russia and the direct and indirect consequences of this conflict require increased attention in this region. The immediate environment of the EU is profoundly modified, with in particular an increased risk of destabilisation of countries close to the EU and neighbours of Russia. It is therefore necessary to adapt the Belgian diplomatic network to the current geopolitical environment,” the press release noted.
A spokesperson for FPS Foreign Affairs said that the opening of the embassies was primarily a “strong gesture” intended to highlight the importance of bilateral cooperation with the two nations. Indeed, Belgium is neither a military or diplomatic power and the message sent to Russia is largely symbolic.
The opening of the two new embassies is still inextricably linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Financing for the new embassies, as well as the hiring of new staff, will come from funding set aside for Belgian financial aid to Ukraine.
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Both Moldova and Armenia have particular geopolitical interests in Europe. Besides thinly veiled threats to its independence and destabilisation attempts by Russia, Transnistria, along Moldova’s border with Ukraine, is currently occupied by Russia troops.
In the Caucuses, Belgium already has an official representation in neighbouring Azerbaijan. Despite Russian support, Armenia recently lost a bloody conflict with its neighbour in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, with Russia boasting of close ties with both countries. In recent months, Armenian authorities have attempted to court both European diplomats, as they vie for influence in the region.
An increased Belgian presence in Armenia may also help bolster humanitarian efforts. Both Russia and Belgium have expelled diplomats from their embassies in Moscow and Brussels.
As a result, the capacity of the Belgium embassy in Moscow is currently significantly reduced. A presence in Armenia, easily accessible to Russians, may help expand Belgium’s access to its citizens in Russia, as well as those attempting to seek asylum in Belgium.
Belgium also intends to break away from the Soviet past, moving its monitoring post for the caucuses away from Moscow and towards the new republics. Belgium will also undoubtedly like to gain an insight into the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.
In a comment to RTBF, former ambassador Raoul Delcorde warned that Belgium’s FPS Foreign Affairs must assure that its presence in the former Soviet republics is not left to so-called “laptop diplomats”, who command little influence in the region.
“We unfortunately have this tendency. When Louis Michel was Minister of Foreign Affairs, he had decided that there would be a Belgian embassy in each European capital, including in the Baltic States, or in Malta. They were ‘laptop diplomats’ who had very little means. I hope that will not be the case here,” he said.
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Of these bare-bones embassies opened in Europe, the vast majority have since closed. The opening of two new full-fledged embassies abroad may well lead to closures elsewhere.
For now, FPS Foreign Affairs says that there are no plans to “immediately” close other representatives. With the new locations, Belgium will soon operate 113 diplomatic and consular posts, 83 embassies, 15 general consulates, 3 consulates, and 8 permanent representations. For reference, Sweden only has 90 overseas representatives.
