Didier Reynders in Washington for the 70th anniversary of NATO
Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense, will travel to Washington today and tomorrow to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty. Minister Reynders will also take part in a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers dedicated to the challenges facing the Alliance today.
On April 4, 1949, in Washington, twelve countries including Belgium signed the North Atlantic Treaty establishing NATO. 70 years later, this anniversary is an opportunity to reiterate our unwavering commitment to this transatlantic alliance, which guarantees our defense and our collective security. Over the decades, NATO has been able to cope with more complex, diffuse and hybrid threats through its adaptive capacity, credible deterrence and defense, the development of partnerships, the solidarity of its Allies, and a strong transatlantic link.
NATO continues to play a pivotal role in Belgium’s security and defense policy, be it its deterrence and defense of the territory of the Organization, or its efforts to maintaining peace and security elsewhere in the world. Belgium remains a supportive and credible partner in NATO, and fully supports its efforts to enable it to continue to meet the challenges of a very unpredictable security environment. Belgium will continue to uphold the principles and values that are its strength and to promote ever greater effectiveness of the Alliance.
On the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Minister Reynders will also visit Arlington National Cemetery. He and his colleague, Luxembourger Jean Asselborn will lay a wreath at the foot of the Battle of the Bulge Monument – “the biggest land battle in the history of the US Army” – whose 75th anniversary is commemorated this year.
