🇧🇪 Belgium MFA

🇺🇦 Russia does not attack cities like this because it wants peace. Last night, Kyiv was the main target of a massive Russian strike. Missiles and drones hit homes, schools, a market and essential infrastructure. People were killed. Dozens were injured. Rescue teams are still working through the destruction. Whatever narrative Russia may put forward, the facts remain clear: civilians were struck, residential areas were hit, and there is no justification for attacks that terrorise an entire population. The reported use of an Oreshnik missile is another chilling signal. These weapons are designed not only to destroy, but to intimidate, exhaust and break the spirit of a nation. It will not succeed. Belgium condemns these attacks in the strongest possible terms. My deepest condolences go to the victims, their families and all those who woke up once again to fear, loss and devastation. We are working with our partners to further strengthen Ukraine’s air defences. And we will continue to push for maximum pressure on Russia’s war economy. Every night like this reinforces our resolve. Belgium stands with Ukraine. @BelgiumMFA @BelgiumUkraine

🇧🇪 Belgium joins the signatories of this statement in reiterating the importance of respecting international law and, consequently, of putting an end to the illegal settlements and their expansion. 👇 Joint Statement from the leaders of the E4 + Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and the Netherlands on the situation in the West Bank governo.it/en/node/31890

🇨🇩 (FR/NL) La nouvelle épidémie d’Ebola en RDC est suivie de très près par la Belgique, en coordination avec les autorités sanitaires et nos partenaires internationaux. À travers sa coopération internationale, la Belgique soutient concrètement la réponse sur le terrain : expertise scientifique, renforcement des tests de dépistage, analyse du virus, recherche et aide humanitaire. Grâce au soutien belge, l’Institut de Médecine Tropicale d’Anvers contribue notamment au séquençage du virus et au renforcement des tests sur place. Dans un contexte marqué par les conflits et la fragilité des systèmes de santé, il demeure essentiel de soutenir les capacités locales et la coordination internationale. Investir dans la santé mondiale, c’est aussi prévenir la propagation des crises sanitaires. La Belgique reste pleinement mobilisée aux côtés de ses partenaires africains, européens et internationaux. —— De nieuwe ebola-uitbraak in de DRC wordt door België op de voet gevolgd, in samenwerking met de gezondheidsautoriteiten en onze internationale partners. Via zijn internationale samenwerking ondersteunt België concreet de respons ter plaatse: wetenschappelijke expertise, versterking van de screeningtests, analyse van het virus, onderzoek en humanitaire hulp. Dankzij de Belgische steun draagt het Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde in Antwerpen met name bij aan de sequentiebepaling van het virus en de versterking van de tests ter plaatse. In een context die gekenmerkt wordt door conflicten en kwetsbare gezondheidszorgstelsels, blijft het essentieel om de lokale capaciteiten en de internationale coördinatie te ondersteunen. Investeren in de wereldgezondheid betekent ook het voorkomen van de verspreiding van gezondheidscrises. België blijft zich ten volle inzetten aan de zijde van zijn Afrikaanse, Europese en internationale partners. @BelgiumMFA @BelgiqueRDCongo

As a member of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes, Belgium urges all parties to uphold the ceasefire and ensure humanitarian access, especially as a new Ebola outbreak makes every delay costlier. We fully support Angola 🇦🇴 in its efforts to foster an inclusive national dialogue in the DRC. Time is of the essence. @BelgiumMFA

🇮🇱 The images circulating of the treatment of the Flotilla activists are deeply disturbing. People held captive, bound, forced face down, and a government minister broadcasting their humiliation on social media. Belgian citizens are among those detained. This situation is unacceptable. It violates the most basic standards of human dignity. All detainees must be treated with dignity and released without delay. I have asked that the Ambassador of Israel to Belgium be summoned to express our indignation and ask for explanations. I have also instructed our diplomats to secure consular access to our nationals as a matter of urgency. Their rights must be guaranteed. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic and demands the full attention of the international community. Belgium is and will remain active in raising this attention through every diplomatic channel. @BelgiumMFA

#Development | 🇧🇪 Deputy Prime minister @prevotmaxime takes part in the development configuration of the Foreign Affairs Council today. ➖ Future of external action ➖ The role of Global Gateway ➖ Global consequences of the war in Iran

🌈On #IDAHOT, we stand strong for equality & human rights for all. Equality for LGBTQI+ people is essential to building inclusive & democratic societies, as true democracy can't exist while LGBTQI+ individuals face persecution, whether through legislation or societal practices.

🇺🇦 Last night, Russia launched 1,560 drones and 56 missiles against Ukraine. It was one of the most devastating attacks since the start of this war. Homes flattened in Kyiv. A school destroyed. Energy infrastructure hit. At least five civilians killed, dozens injured, people still trapped under rubble. A UN humanitarian vehicle deliberately struck twice in Kherson. Days after proposing a ceasefire, Russia answered with terror. So let no one ask where the obstacle to peace lies. Belgium unequivocally condemns these indiscriminate attacks. Our deepest condolences go to the victims and their families. Our support for Ukraine is not wavering. We have contributed to the PURL initiative so that Ukraine can shoot down the missiles that Russia keeps sending. And we will continue to tighten the pressure on Russia’s war economy, sanction by sanction, until Moscow chooses diplomacy over destruction. Belgium stands with Ukraine. @BelgiumMFA @BelgiumUkraine @andrii_sybiha

📍 #BEmissionTUR Minister of Foreign Affairs @prevotmaxime met with his Turkish counterpart Minister @HakanFidan. Their discussions focused on today’s global conflicts, deepening economic cooperation, & reinforcing EU-Türkiye dialogue.

#BEmissionTUR @prevotmaxime & @FranckenTheo, w/ the regions, met with @omerbolatTR. An exchange on Belgium-Türkiye trade relations, including EU-Türkiye Customs Union, industrial & trade policies, & the strengthening of EU-Türkiye competitiveness in today’s geopolitical world.

🇺🇦 Nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children were deported and forcibly transferred to Russia since the start of this war. Children ripped from their families, their homes, their identity. Subjected to indoctrination, militarised education, forced adoption. Their Ukrainian identity systematically erased. This is a deliberate policy to steal a generation. Today, the EU adopted sanctions against 16 individuals and 7 entities directly responsible for these practices, from officials in occupied territories to the state institutions running re-education camps disguised as youth programmes. Belgium has always put children in conflict at the centre of its foreign policy. Because there is no greater failure of our international system than when we cannot protect children. We reiterate our urgent call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe and unconditional return of all unlawfully deported Ukrainian children. Every single one. @BelgiumMFA @BelgiuminEU @BelgiumUkraine

🇮🇱🇵🇸 After months of deadlock, thanks to the change of government in Budapest, the EU decided today on new additional sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and settler organisations, as well as against leading Hamas figures. On behalf of Belgium, I have been pleading for this at the European table for a very long time. These sanctions send a clear message: extremism and violence carry consequences. The illegal settlements and the rise in settler violence against Palestinians are unacceptable and undermine any prospect of a two-state solution. At the same time, the EU sanctions leaders of Hamas, responsible for the horrific attacks of October 7th. Hamas must be disarmed and excluded from any role in the future of Palestine. The two-state solution is the only path to lasting peace and security, for Israelis and Palestinians alike. @BelgiumMFA @BelgiuminEU

📍 #BEmissionTUR HM the Queen, accompanied by @prevotmaxime & @FranckenTheo met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and First Lady Emine Erdoğan. A rich exchange to boost economic cooperation, build on close ties and people connections, and give new momentum to our partnership.

🇧🇪🇪🇺 On this #EuropeDay, Belgium reaffirms its commitment to an EU built on democracy, the rule of law, human rights & solidarity. A strong and united EU is key to remain a credible & reliable global partner, strengthening our capacity to safeguard security and prosperity.

🇧🇪 HM The Queen will be accompanied by @prevotmaxime, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, @FranckenTheo, Minister for Defence and Foreign Trade, & representatives of the Belgian regional governments @MDiependaele, @PYJeholet, @BorisDillies.

👥 #BEmissionTUR brings together more than 400 participants, including almost 200 companies, universities and other organisations active in Belgium's key economic sectors.

🇧🇪🇹🇷 From 10 to 14 May, HM The Queen will lead a Belgian Economic Mission to #Türkiye. The mission aims to strengthen bilateral ties between Belgium and Türkiye by promoting deeper cooperation and resilient partnerships. 📲 Follow along via #BEmissionTUR

👏 Belgium stands with @ifrc, @ICRC and National societies worldwide. On #RedCrossDay and Red Crescent Day, we commend the work & thank all #volunteers and staff supporting people affected by disaster, armed conflict, health and social problems, often risking their own safety.