Antwerp’s Mayor, Bart De Wever is advocating for air defence around Antwerp’s port.
Ahead of the city’s 80th liberation anniversary, De Wever expressed his views in Tuesday’s Gazet van Antwerpen.
"Of course, I hope that the war in Ukraine ends as quickly as possible, but I believe that we in Antwerp need to be prepared," De Wever explained.
"I proposed this a few years ago and was labelled ludicrous, but who’s laughing now?"
He openly questions why firms would continue investing in the Antwerp port if their bases are not defended, as in cities like Rotterdam and Hamburg. "Antwerp should be able to defend itself and I will do my utmost to provide the necessary funds," he vowed.
