British Embassy Brussels

This week, our trade advisers, David J. Walker and Ben Hayward, had the pleasure of hosting Stacy Cummings from NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and representatives from Belgian Defence at the Farnborough International Airshow. The embassy facilitated key interactions with the UK Government and industry, promoting UK air capabilities and identifying areas for industrial collaboration. We also had an exciting preview of future programmes, including BAE Systems' impressive model of the sixth-generation aircraft, GCAP. Did you know that the 🇬🇧 UK and 🇧🇪 Belgium share common assets like the A400M and MQ-9B? Take a look! #Defence #Security #NATO

A happy National Day from all of us here at the 🇬🇧 British Embassy in Brussels! 🇧🇪 Leve België! Vive la Belgique! Es lebe Belgien! 🇧🇪 #nationalday #belgium #brussels #jourferie #feestdag #feiertag

Very pleased to have had the opportunity to exchange views with Ed Miliband, the new UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and to offer my warmest congratulations on his appointment. The UK and Belgium have a long tradition of energy cooperation and we share common ambitions, such as making the North Sea the largest green power plant in Europe.    The new UK government has set ambitious energy transition targets to accelerate the transition to zero carbon electricity by 2030. These 2030 targets include doubling onshore wind capacity, tripling solar and quadrupling offshore wind, as well as reducing the share of gas and fossil fuels in electricity generation.  By accelerating the energy transition, we will take back control of our energy and give our families and businesses access to affordable green energy. By working together, we can pave the way for a sustainable future and achieve significant milestones in our energy transition efforts. I wish Ed Miliband every success in his mission. 

☀ As Belgium basks in tropical temperatures today, there is no better way to cool down than with some delicious Jude's Ice Cream! 🍨   We are thrilled to announce that Jude's has partnered with Delhaize Belgium to bring their fantastic range of 🇬🇧 British cream-based and vegan ice creams to 🇧🇪 Belgium. Best of luck to them in winning over all the Belgian sweet tooths!   For more information on opportunities in the Belgian Food & Drink sector for UK exporters, feel free to reach out to Martina Blackman Andersen (she/her).

Honoured that His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians, attended the Belgian Parade at the Cenotaph. This venerable tradition, first held in 1934, symbolises the close ties between the UK and Belgium. Belgium is the only non-Commonwealth country allowed to parade its troops in uniform and to bear arms in London. King George V granted Belgium this unique honour following the death of his cousin, King Albert I of the Belgians, in recognition of the heroism and sacrifice of the Belgian Army in the First World War.

📣 A warm welcome to the new ministerial team who will support Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds MP in delivering for UK business and trade: Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Minister of State Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State Justin Madders MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Gareth Thomas MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

A warm welcome to the newly appointed Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and President of the Board of Trade, Jonathan Reynolds 📣

This government will reset relations with Europe as a reliable partner, a dependable ally and a good neighbour. That is why I am travelling immediately to Germany, Poland and Sweden with a simple message:: let us seize this opportunity, working even more closely together to tackle shared challenges. The most immediate of these challenges, of course, is Ukraine. We will stand by the brave people of Ukraine, as they defend their freedom against Vladimir Putin’s new form of fascism. British military, economic, political and diplomatic support for Ukraine will remain ironclad. But we are always stronger when we work with others. European security will be this government’s foreign and defence priority. Russia’s barbaric invasion has made clear the need for us to do more to strengthen our own defences. Next week, the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and I will all travel to Washington for the NATO Summit. This Government’s commitment to the Alliance is unshakeable, just as it was in Bevin’s time. This weekend I am discussing how NATO allies can go further in investing in our tightly connected defence industries and providing Ukraine with its own clear path to joining our alliance. Alongside security, we want to do more together to bring prosperity to our continent. None of us can address the urgency of the climate emergency alone – we need coordinated global action. And finally, we must do more to champion the ties between our people and our culture. Holidays, family ties, school and student exchanges, the arts, and sport. Thanks to this, our citizens benefit from the rich diversity of our continent. We can deliver more cooperation in many areas bilaterally, via NATO and in groupings like the G7, the Joint Expeditionary Force or the European Political Community who will gather at Blenheim Palace on 18 July. But if we are to fulfil our ambitions for a reset, we must also improve Britain’s relationship with the European Union. I am explaining to my new fellow Foreign Ministers how our new Government’s proposal for an ambitious and broad-ranging UK-EU Security Pact would underpin closer cooperation between us, enshrining a new geopolitical partnership. I am also hearing their ideas for how we can rebuild trust and reset the relationship between the UK and the EU. Over centuries, our individual and national stories have come together to tell a wider story of shared progress. Today, we all share a commitment to democracy, human rights and international law. Tragic experiences in our continent’s shared past have helped us to understand how our shared security and prosperity depend on these shared values. And I believe these values also offer a foundation for closer partnership in the future. My visit this weekend is just the beginning. I look forward to seeing Britain reconnect with our European neighbours in the years ahead.

It is the honour of my life to be appointed as Foreign Secretary.   A descendant of enslaved people.   A black, working class man from Tottenham.   A community which has never produced a Foreign Secretary before.   This speaks to what a modern, multicultural Britain can be.   Proudly internationalist.   Determined to deliver for working people.   And committed to building a better future for us all.   Britain has enormous potential but the world faces huge challenges.   More countries engaged in conflict than at any time since World War II.   Rapidly changing technology.   And a climate emergency.   This government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home.   What happens here in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is essential.   Diplomacy matters.   We will begin with a reset with Europe, on climate and with the global South.   And a gear-shift when it comes to delivering on European security, global security and British growth.   My story is a story of progress.    Progress won by all those who fought for a better future.   Together, let us fight for a better future once again.    Change begins now.

What a delight to celebrate the King’s Birthday Party of His Majesty King Charles III at the UK Residence in Brussels. This is, as always, a great moment to bring together friends and partners including from the Commonwealth and other nations as well as the British community from Belgium. A musical quintet from Royal Welsh, two Welsh Guards, and young Scouts from Belgium were present to add their special touch to the celebration. Thanking our guests for their attendance at the King’s Birthday Party and all those across Belgium with whom the Embassy works, Ambassador Martin Shearman underlined the importance of the UK and Belgium’s partnership as neighbours and friends - on business and economic issues, on energy and the environment, on security and defence, and in championing our shared values and interests. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Welsh Government Office, Scottish Government Brussels, The Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels, British Chamber of Commerce | EU & Belgium, Jaguar Land Rover Global Diplomatic Sales, Diageo and Paul Smith