Belgium and the Netherlands; a fruitful partnership?

by the Belgian Ambassador, H.E. Luc Carbonez.

Ambassador Carbonez gave his perspective on the relationship between the two countries that went their separate ways after the fall of Antwerp to the Spaniards in 1582 and the subsequent cessation of hostilities in 1609. Despite the cultural distance that has grown up, leading to a certain degree of mistrust, relations are nevertheless close. Some 120,000 Dutchmen live in Belgium, while 33,000 Belgians reside in the Netherlands. The most striking difference between the two cultures manifest themselves in the consensus style of the Netherlands as opposed to the more authoritarian preferences in Belgium. The Netherlands are traditionally a free trading society, while Belgium is more inclined to protecting its own markets and industry.

Ambassador Carbonez went on to make a strong argument to make what is now a neighbourhood of the two countries into a real partnership. The competition in so many fields, particularly where the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam are concerned, is blinding us to the added value of such a partnership. Internationally we are perceived as being one economic region, with the harbours of Zeebrugge in the south to Amsterdam in the North forming one major port. Also in international fora much could be gained by combining our forces. Also for Belgium it is disappointing that the place of the Netherlands in the G20 is going to be taken over by Spain.

In a subtle manner the ambassador suggested that the traditional urge in the Netherlands to be perceived internationally as the largest of the smaller powers keeps the Dutch from taking a more realistic view of their real interests.

On behalf of the club Joost proposed a vote of thanks and our speaker was rewarded for his stimulating speech with our traditional present, our multicultural cook book.

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