Discours de Bart De Wever CD meets PM
Ce discours a été prononcé à Bruxelles le 4 juin 2025 en anglais à l'occasion de 'Corps diplomatique meets Prime Minister'. Le prononcé fait foi.
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is an honour to welcome you today. I am also delighted that we are meeting here, at the Museum of Art and History.
The antiquities collection is among the finest in Europe. In particular, I can recommend the impressive model of Ancient Rome, meticulously restored just a few years ago.
Of course, Brussels boasts countless superb art treasures. But I am also a proud Antwerp native. So I am shamelessly taking this opportunity to urge you to definitely visit the city on the Scheldt if you haven't already done so.
Antwerp is the city of baroque, the city of the good life. And no Antwerper embodies that better than Peter Paul Rubens. The most famous painter of everything that was grandiose and awe-inspiring.
Antwerp was Rubens' home port, but he was a homo universalis par excellence. He travelled to Mantua, Rome, Madrid, Paris, London and The Hague. To win commissions and sell paintings, for Rubens was not only an artist but also a shrewd businessman. But that was not the only reason why he was a familiar face throughout Europe. Indeed, he was an industrious diplomat.
His patroness, the Infanta Isabella, daughter of the Spanish King Philip II and sovereign of the Southern Netherlands, regularly called on his services. And the loyal Rubens deftly capitalised on his painting skills to establish behind-the-scenes contacts and conduct diplomatic negotiations. Art has therefore acted as the glue in international relations for centuries. I hope that our meeting here, like in Rubens' day, produces fruitful discussions.
Before we get to know each other better informally, I would like to talk about the priorities of this federal government in light of the current geopolitical context.
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Ladies and Gentlemen
The classic art of diplomacy consists of delivering the most unpleasant messages as delicately as possible. And unfortunately, there is no shortage of unpleasant messages today. Violent conflicts and challenging economic times are creating uncertainty throughout the world. And the fact is that this uncertainty will not go away overnight.
For the first time since the Second World War, Europe is witnessing armed conflict between two sovereign nations. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was unprovoked and unjustified. It violates all international treaties and is a threat to all the democratic values that Europe holds dear. Defending Ukraine is therefore a fight for the fundamental values of Europe. It is our fight. A fight to which this federal government will provide steadfast support. But the hotbeds of violence are clearly not confined to Europe. The conflict in the Middle East is a major concern.
Israel's legitimate intentions to eradicate the terrorist organisation Hamas after the horrific attacks of 7 October 2023 have turned into a precarious humanitarian situation and a smouldering conflict that also threatens the stability of the wider region. It is still unclear how this conflict can be ended.
We are also not blind to the violence in Sudan, Eastern Congo, Myanmar and in other parts of the world. International security is threatened not only by conflict but also by organised crime and illegal migration, two phenomena which are a cause for justifiable concern for many Europeans. The large-scale challenges in the area of defence and security are currently being amplified by economic uncertainty.
The spectre of protectionism has reared its ugly head once again. The effects of globalisation raise legitimate questions. But protectionism can never be the right response to them. It puts the foundations of free trade under pressure. Values that have resulted in prosperity and progress all around the world.
Protectionism is not the right answer. It leads to distrust between governments. It creates unstable markets and uncertainty for businesses. Protectionism impoverishes us. Because all those who work, save or do business pay the price.
Free and fair trade is not simply one of the ways to technological innovation, sustainable growth and as much prosperity as possible for as many people as possible. It is the only way.
This is not just an instinct or a feeling. Proof can be seen in the unprecedented progress of the past two hundred years. A period when extreme poverty was decimated. Life expectancy and welfare rose dramatically. And technological progress was the catalyst for our incredible leap forward in prosperity.
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Ladies and Gentlemen
These formidable international challenges on the political and economic front must not isolate or paralyse us. On the contrary, they must incite us to resilience and decisive action. There is only one solution to these threats to our security and global trade: more and closer international cooperation.
Europe has awoken from a long period of indifference and naiveté regarding the topic of defence. What is more, many NATO allies have ignored their responsibilities for too long. Belgium has been bottom of the class for too long in this regard. This federal government is changing that.
That's why our first priority is to invest in security. Investing in security means investing in stability, peace and prosperity. Or put another way, there is no social welfare without economic prosperity. And no economic prosperity without security and stability. Europe's realisation of this has rapidly increased in recent times.
When I highlighted the need for investment in Belgian air defence a few years ago, I was ridiculed by opinion makers and progressive parties. Air defence, that was something for warmongers. The question has since become a self-evident fact, as reminded to us every day by Russia's war in Ukraine. Thanks to this federal government, Belgium will reach the NATO goal of 2% of GDP for defence spending for the first time this year. Catching up from 1.3% of GDP to 2% of GDP in one year was not straightforward, given the challenging budgetary context. But it was crucial. It was our duty.
At the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, we will adopt a new Defense Investment Pledge. We call for keeping it realistic and achievable, especially for allies who recently took a big step forward. But let me be clear: Belgium will always be a loyal ally to the forces of peace and democracy. We take our responsibility.
Within Europe, resources for defence must be better aligned to achieve economies of scale. The European defence industry therefore needs to be strengthened. With consideration for both large companies and SMEs.
That brings me to a second important priority. Europe needs to strengthen its single market.
The debate on the United States' tariff measures is still raging. But in the meantime, the European single market itself lacks heft. It lacks efficiency and economies of scale in an increasingly competitive world. Without deeper integration and targeted reforms, Europe's economic position risks being structurally weakened.
Let me give an example that is close to my heart, having been mayor of Antwerp for many years. Antwerp has the second largest petrochemical cluster in the world after Houston. Antwerp has the second largest port in Europe. Together, they form the largest maritime-industrial complex in the world. That is precisely where Europe's economic uncertainty and shortcomings can be felt.
Since 2021, industrial production in the euro zone has fallen by 3 percent. In Germany, the figure is 7 percent. And in Belgium, fully 9 percent. Some say this is the inevitable consequence of the transition to a services-based economy. Some see the decline of industry as a natural evolution. I disagree. I’m putting it a bit harshly, but our economy cannot be based solely on people sending each other emails in trendy coffee bars. Industry is not a relic of the past. It is a foundation for our future. Without industry, the Belgian and European economy cannot possibly grow structurally and sustainably. In fact, it will suffer.
In the major challenges facing European industry, various other needs are converging. These include
- affordable energy,
- clear and straightforward regulations,
- a strong labour market,
- modern infrastructure for logistics chains,
- safeguarding strategic critical resources,
- and investment in digital technology and artificial intelligence.
That is why this federal government has decided to make reindustrialisation and innovation a spearhead with the "MAKE 2030" revitalisation project. We are working on clear and above all fewer regulations, a healthy labour market and more competitiveness.
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Ladies and Gentlemen
A stronger defence policy and a more integrated single market are not only good for Europe. They contribute to the prosperity and progress of the whole world. I would therefore like to underscore the fact that for me, European cooperation also always means international cooperation. I also remain an ardent advocate for deep transatlantic cooperation.
Belgium and Europe need reliable partners to help build a secure and prosperous future. This federal government will make every effort to ensure that it is also a reliable partner itself. In these uncertain times, we are maintaining a steady course. The ambition of this federal government is to get our budgetary house in order and implement much-needed socioeconomic reforms.
These reforms are not always easy for some of our citizens. Among other things, we are reforming the labour market and pensions to make our budget healthier and to safeguard our prosperity and our children's prosperity.
In addition to investing in defence, we also have a strong focus on security and a strict but humane migration policy. Because: “Belgium is closed for crime.”
In the fight against terror and organised crime, we are taking measures to bolster the effectiveness of our security services. We are also taking the lead in finding partners within Europe and around the world to take up this fight together. On the economic front, our mantra is "Belgium is open for business." That is not just a slogan. It is the foundation of our policy.
We want to put more people to work, attract investment and build the economy of the future. And most of all, we want to do that together with you. Working together towards a democratic, free, safe and prosperous world. So if there is one thing that I hope you will remember in your debriefing, it is this:
Belgium is open for business. But closed for crime.
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Ladies and Gentlemen
Even a true workaholic like Rubens knew that hard work could be reconciled with the finer things in life.
Although he painted huge canvases bursting with emotion, he preferred to collect still lifes. He also took great care of his garden at his palazzo in Antwerp. This garden has recently been beautifully restored.
And just as Rubens was a networker par excellence, I am sure many of you also enjoy maintaining warm contacts.
The diplomatic community in Belgium is the largest in the world. That is something we are proud of. It is something we want to cherish. And that was also our impetus to organise more meetings in an informal setting.
That's why the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs recently set up a new diplomatic circle named after the famous Zavel district, or Sablon in French.
The Sablon Diplomatic Circle plans conferences, outings and company visits, so members can get to know Belgium and each other better. The word Sablon comes from the Latin 'sabulum' and refers to the fertile clay soil that characterised the area.
I hope that this meeting will also be fertile ground for you to foster good contacts.
And I assure you that this government is always at your disposal to listen to you.
Thank you.