Christophe de Nijs

Proud self-appointed president of the Ginger Belgian Diplomats Society. Father of three sleepless kids, I rarely talk before 10am.

[🇧🇪 Belgium MFA @BelgiumMFA]

🇧🇪🇪🇺 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.

[Maxime PREVOT @prevotmaxime]

🇧🇪🌎 Belgium updates its diplomatic network to maximise its global impact.

Today, we decided to modernise and rebalance our network of diplomatic posts so it better reflects today’s geopolitical realities, and tomorrow’s.

🔹 What will change?

- Strengthening: around 20 embassies and consulates
- Opening: 5 new diplomatic posts
- Closing: 8 posts, while ensuring continuity of service through neighbouring missions or regional coverage

🔹 Why this reform?

Because the world has changed — fast.
We need a network that is strategic, resilient and forward-looking, able to: defend Belgium’s interests and security; support Belgians and companies abroad; engage effectively on diplomacy, development and defence; respond to geopolitical shifts and new economic corridors

🔹 New openings

•Tirana (Albania)
•Windhoek (Namibia)
•Muscat (Oman)
•Tashkent (Uzbekistan)
•Permanent Representative to the African Union (Addis Ababa)

🔹 Reinforcements

Across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America — including Kinshasa, Brazzaville, Beijing, New Delhi, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, Doha, and several posts in West Africa and the posts responsable for the Baltics.

🔹 Closures

Eight posts will gradually close in 2026–2027, without reducing the quality of services to Belgian citizens.

🔹 A future-oriented network

The budgetary gains will be reinvested to strengthen teams, build a pool of flying diplomats, and enhance Belgium’s capacity to act quickly in crises.

This reform ensures Belgium remains credible, influential and well-equipped to defend its interests in a turbulent world.

@BelgiumMFA

[Christophe de Nijs @BelgiumDGE]

🇪🇺🇧🇪Welcome to our new Director General @ChdeNijs at @BelgiumDGE. Christophe joins us in our efforts to ensure the coordination of #EU policy in Belgium with all the partners involved.

[Alain Gendron @gendroa1]

Le 🇨🇦est très motivé à collaborer avec la présidence 🇧🇪#EU2024BE: aujourd'hui les ambassadeurs 🇨🇦 ont mené une ronde de consultations auprès des responsables 🇧🇪 pour discuter des intérêts communs: transformation énergitique, green deal, soutien à la démocratie, appui au #CETA.

[Belgium in the EU @BelgiuminEU]

#FAC 🌐 | 🇪🇺 EU27 Foreign Affairs Ministers are gathered in Brussels to discuss the situation in Israel and Palestine, in Ukraine and in Armenia and Azerbaijan. 🇧🇪 Belgium is represented by Foreign Minister @hadjalahbib .

Learn more about the agenda ↓↓

@BelgiumMFA @BelgiumDGE

[Hadja Lahbib @hadjalahbib]

In Kyiv for a historic Foreign Affairs Council. Our message: unity and solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Their resilience, their desire to be part of the European Union are constant reminders of the importance of defending our common values!

[Hadja Lahbib @hadjalahbib]

What future 🇪🇺 do we want? We're discussing it today at #GAC.

We must strengthen our strategic autonomy to continue protecting our citizens and ensuring their well-being.

We will also address the challenges and necessary reforms of a future expanded Union.

🇧🇪🇪🇺

[Belgium in the EU @BelgiuminEU]

#FAC | At the last Foreign Affairs Council before a short summer break, 🇪🇺 Ministers are discussing the Russian aggression against Ukraine 🇺🇦, economic security, Türkiye 🇹🇷 & current affairs.

🇧🇪 Belgium is represented by Foreign Minister @hadjalahbib.

Dive into today's agenda⤵️

[Belgium in the EU @BelgiuminEU]

📌 Today, the 27 🇪🇺 EU Ministers for #GeneralAffairs are meeting at this month's General Affairs Council (#GAC).

🇧🇪 Belgium is represented by Minister of European Affairs, @hadjalahbib.

👀 Take a quick look at today's agenda ⤵️

[Hadja Lahbib @hadjalahbib]

At the invitation of their Majesties the King and Queen, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the European Parliament, the cradle of our democracy and our values. Good to speak with Roberta Metsola and the MEPs in the run-up of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

[Hadja Lahbib @hadjalahbib]

Conversation with HR/VP @JosepBorrellF to assess the situation in #Russia. We continue to monitor the developments and their consequences. Our support to #Ukraine remains unwavering. Tomorrow, Belgium will convene a national security council. 🇧🇪🇪🇺🇺🇦

[Hadja Lahbib @hadjalahbib]

Nous suivons de près la situation concernant #Wagner et l'armée russe, avec nos partenaires UE et internationaux. En contact étroit avec notre ambassade à Moscou; Demandons aux citoyens belges à #Rostov et environs de suivre notre avis de voyage et de vérifier les mises à jour.

[Belgium in the EU @BelgiuminEU]

GAC 🇪🇺 | Minister @hadjalahbib represents #Belgium at the General Affairs Council in #Brussels today. 
🔍 Curious to know what the Ministers will discuss today? ⬇️

@BelgiumMFA @BelgiumDGE

[Alexandre Brecx @AlexBrecx]

🇪🇺🇧🇪 Starting the week at the #EU Foreign Affairs Council, with 🇧🇪 Minister @hadjalahbib:

🌍 Africa’s Great Lakes Region
🇺🇦 Russian aggression against #Ukraine
🇦🇫 #Afghanistan
🇲🇩 #Moldova
🌡️⚡️ #climate & #energy diplomacy
🇮🇷 #Iran

[Alexandre Brecx @AlexBrecx]

❄️ Good morning from #Brussels! Today 🇪🇺 Foreign Affairs Council #FAC with 🇧🇪 Minister @hadjalahbib to discuss the situation in #Ukraine 🇺🇦, #Iran 🇮🇷, #Palestine 🇵🇸, in the Sahel and West Africa.

[Hadja Lahbib @hadjalahbib]

Je vous souhaite de tout cœur de joyeuses fêtes et une année 2023 belle, généreuse et intense.

🇧🇪🇪🇺 🎄

Ik wens u van ganser harte fijne feesten en een mooi, genereus en intens nieuw jaar.

#recap 🎥⬇️

[Belgium in the EU @BelgiuminEU]

#GAC | Foreign Minister @hadjalahbib represented #Belgium at the General Affairs Council, where the EU Ministers:
🇧🇦 granted candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina
📢 agreed on a position on transparency and targeting of political advertising
⚖️ held a dialogue on #RuleofLaw

[Belgium in the EU @BelgiuminEU]

🇪🇺🇧🇪 #Trade | Meeting of the #EU ministers in charge of trade in Brussels today. Belgium is represented by Minister @hadjalahbib.

🧡 #OrangeTheWorld ! At the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Ministers all wear a touch of orange.

[Belgium in the EU @BelgiuminEU]

🇪🇺🇧🇪 #FAC | Meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in #Brussels today, with Foreign Minister @hadjalahbib representing #Belgium.

@BelgiumMFA

[Belgium in the EU @BelgiuminEU]

🇪🇺🇧🇪 The #EU Foreign Ministers meet in Luxembourg today for the Foreign Affairs Council #FAC. Minister @hadjalahbib represents #Belgium

They will discuss the situation in &reiterate support to #Ukraine 🇺🇦, discuss the strategic relationship with #China 🇨🇳 & situation in #Iran 🇮🇷