NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

News and Events

Dutch Courses at the Embassy
The Belgian Economy: a profile
Floods in Pakistan : Charles Michel responds to UN appeal
National Day Celebration
Best of Recent Belgian Cinema
A week of National Day Celebrations
Secretary Clinton wishes Belgium a Happy National Day
California High Speed Rail Authority
Ambassador Welcomes Belgian Microsoft Partners
Belgium 6th Most Attractive Country for Foreign Investments in 2009
Belgium Beyond Expectations
Belgium European Leader in Clinical Trials
Ambassadors Dinner of the European-American Business Council
Triple event on export control and procurement
Pittsburgh High School Students Want to be Ambassadors
Belgian basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers
Program of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union
Deepwater Horizon oil leak : Belgian proposals for assistance
Breast cancer research
Belgian Royal Military Acadamy visits DC
Ambassador hosts L3 and holocaust museum officials
Ambassador hosts dinner for the Marshall Memorial Fellowship Program.
Ambassador Matthysen Visits Denver
Bach Consort at Belgian Residence
EU Embassy Open House Day

Dutch Courses at the Embassy

The Embassy of Belgium is pleased to announce the continuation of its Dutch Language Courses, beginning on October 4.

Classes are open to all interested persons, age 16 or older, and take place at the embassy. Groups are formed according to proficiency and no prior knowledge of Dutch is required to enroll at the beginners’ level. Classes at each level are scheduled on weekday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and meet once a week for 26 weeks.

This year we are excited to present a revised curriculum for students at the advanced level, which we expect will be both more challenging and more fun. And, as a result of a high number of requests from our most loyal students, we proudly present the 4th level: “Experts.” The beginning and intermediate levels are a proven success; the curriculum for those classes remains unchanged.

Don’t miss your chance to learn more about the course by taking a look at the enclosed information form (in PDF or MS Word format).

In order to register, please return the enclosed registration form (again, available in PDF and MS Word format).

The Belgian Economy: a profile

“This presentation profiles the Belgian economy, illustrates its highy developed trade and investment ties with the United States and describes the reasons why Belgium is a prime business location for U.S. companies.”

Click here to start the presentation

The floods in Pakistan : Charles Michel
responds to UN appeal for emergency aid

Over the past two weeks, Pakistan has suffered massive flooding caused by an exceptionally severe monsoon season. Development Cooperation Minister Charles Michel has described the situation as a colossal human and economic catastrophe. The United Nations claims that nearly 15 million people could be affected by the disaster. In addition, extensive tracts of farmland are now under water, prompting fears of rising food insecurity. For now, 6 million people need food aid.

On 11 August, the United Nations launched an appeal for emergency funds totalling €360 million to aid victims of the floods in Pakistan. Based on this assessment of the extent of Pakistan’s needs, the international community has decided to step up its aid efforts. In the same spirit, Charles Michel has committed Belgium to freeing up an additional €1.5 million in aid, for use by the World Food Programme (WFP). The provision of food aid has been identified as the most pressing concern.This contribution by Belgium comes on top of the €500,000 it pledged shortly after the floods began.

You may recall that a total of €4.1 million was already spent on Pakistan during the first half of the year, amongst other things to provide food for more than 3 million people as well as shelter and other basic services for 800,000 displaced persons uprooted by internal conflict.

August 16, 2010

National Day Celebration

On the 21st of July, Belgium’s national holiday, Ambassador Jan Matthysen and his wife Agnes hosted a reception for the Belgian and international community. On the warm summer evening, over 500 guests enjoyed an array of Belgian specialties in the beautiful garden of the Belgian residence.

Click on image for larger view

The Ambassador took the opportunity to present the new EU Ambassador, Joao Vale de Almeida, as the man in pole position when it comes to representing the European Union in the United States. Howard Gutman, American Ambassador to Belgium, and Kris Dierckx, Director of Flanders House, were also introduced to the assembled guests.

“With the United States, we enjoy a stable and very old relationship,” Ambassador Matthysen said in his welcoming remarks. “On the 21st of July 1831, 179 years ago, the first Belgian King was sworn in, and within one year, in 1832, this newly established state established a diplomatic mission in Washington, with the very urgent and pressing task of negotiating better access to American markets for the Belgian textile industry. Since then, this relationship has been thriving in all possible dimensions.”

The reception was the highlight of a week of culinary festivities that started on July 15th with a Belgian Beer dinner at Ambassador Matthysen’s residence, and continued with happy hours, a mussels competition, and a chocolate fest at local Belgian restaurants, including Brasserie Beck, Belga Café and Et Voila.

SPEECH AMBASSADOR MATTHYSEN AT THE NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION:

Excellencies, Dear Colleagues and Friends, Beste Landgenoten, Mes Chers Compatriotes, Meine Liebe Landsleute,

On behalf of my wife Agnes, and of all the staff of the Belgian Embassy, I welcome you to this festive, traditional celebration of Belgium’s national holiday. In particular, I would like to wish my compatriots here a very happy and joyous National Day. I hope you have a good time here with us. Have you already found and tasted your favorite Belgian beer? The fantastic Belgian restaurants in Washington are represented here as well.
Belgian cuisine is doing very well these days. I call it Belgian culinary diplomacy. Our Embassy chef, Jan van Haute, has celebrity status here in DC: he won the competition as the Best Embassy Chef. All the Belgian chefs in DC are celebrating a Belgian Week in their restaurants. Last week the Belgian chefs prepared a wonderful Belgian dinner for 130 guests at my residence, to promote Belgian cuisine.

As an ambassador, I feel blessed to represent a country famous for its quality of living, good food, chocolate, waffles and beers.

But Belgium is much more, of course. We are for the world and for America a huge partner for investment, in both ways. Hundreds of thousands of jobs rely on investments, also in the United States. Trade volumes are impressive, and remain at high levels and in high quality sectors. One example: 10 days ago, a delegation from Microsoft Belgium came to visit us, with 120 Belgian entrepreneurs, all partners with Microsoft.

With the United States, we enjoy a stable and very old relationship. On the 21st of July 1831, 179 years ago, the first Belgian King was sworn in, and within one year, in 1832, this newly established state established a diplomatic mission in Washington, with the very urgent and pressing task of negotiating better access to the American markets for the Belgian textile industry.

Since then, this relationship has been thriving in all possible dimensions. We have human bonds through immigration from our country; we commemorate unforgotten military sacrifices, like the Battle of the Bulge in 44-45, or Flanders Fields in the First World War. As an ally, Belgium sent more than 3000 troops to Korea (60 years ago). We were with troops in Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia, Lebanon, Africa, and currently are in Afghanistan in Kunduz and Kabul, and in Kandahar with a squadron of our F-16 fighter planes.

In these 180 years of independence, Belgians were able to build a sophisticated society, with complicated and ever-evolving political checks and balances, not easy to understand from the outside. But we achieved one of the highest living standards worldwide, with rich cultural diversity and creativity, science, education, social and medical care. We assumed our responsibilities in the world, and we were at the forefront of the major diplomatic achievements of the modern world: the creation of the European Union, of the Transatlantic Alliance, and the United Nations.

Today, I want to introduce three very important persons to you.
First : His Excellency the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Belgium, my good friend, colleague and counterpart, Howard Gutman. He’s only been in Belgium for one year, but everybody knows him there, he speaks all our languages, and he has been on every TV channel. And he’s a very modern, innovative ambassador, working not just for the American interests in Belgium, but advocating for our interests in Washington with the same dynamic enthusiasm. Thank you, Howard.

Belgium now holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, for the 11th time. This means that Belgium is presiding over almost all the Council formations in Brussels. But after the Lisbon Treaty, the external representation of the European Union is no longer done by the rotating presidency, but by Baroness Ashton, the High Representative of the EU for Common Foreign and Security Policy. Therefore, it is crucial and a lucky coincidence that I can introduce here today the newly arrived EU Ambassador, Joao Vale de Almeida. And he’s very Belgian too: he lived in Brussels for more than 20 years. From now on, he’s the number one representing the EU in Washington.

The third VIP I want to introduce is the Director of Flanders House in New York, Mr. Kris Dierckx. The newly created Flanders House will serve as the representation of the Government of Flanders. This reflects a reality in the institutional and constitutional changes in the Kingdom of Belgium, which is a federal state. We wish Kris Dierckx and Flanders House a very successful future.

Excellencies, Ladies & Gentlemen, as a token of appreciation for the excellent relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Belgium, I will invite you to join me- twice- in a toast to the respective Heads of State, after listening to the National Anthems.

To the President of the United States of America

To His Majesty the King of the Belgians

July 27, 2010

Best of Recent Belgian Cinema

Belgium has partnered with the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles to present “Grit and Whimsy: The Best of Recent Belgian Cinema,” a series showcasing six recent feature films. The series opened on July 21 – Belgian National Day -- with the breathtaking thriller Dossier K. and will run through December, on the third Wednesday of each month.

The roster includes the coming-of-age comedy Private Lessons, the delightful romp The Over the Hill Band, and the dramatic Angel at Sea. Belgium’s submission to the Best Foreign Language Film of the 2011 Academy Awards will be shown in November and a surprise movie will be on the program in December. It is expected that some of the filmmakers and actors will attend the screenings.

In an interview with “Cinema Without Borders,” Geert Criel, Belgium’s Consul General in Los Angeles, was asked why he decided to choose a screening series over running a festival. “It seemed like a good idea not to concentrate the screening of some of the best recent Belgian movies in only one week,” he explained. “We wanted to create a monthly “appointment” with Belgian cinema… This should give many people a chance to see the movies and some might even see them all! We plan to make it a complete Belgian experience by offering a glass of Belgian beer before or after the screenings.”

The films will be shown at the Egyptian theater in Hollywood or the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. Program and ticket information is available at www.americancinematheque.com.

Belgian cinema, be it from Flanders or from the French-speaking part of the country, has risen to international prominence, boasting richly diverse and original films. From the unsettling but still urgently relevant Man Bites Dog, which rocked the Cannes Film Festival in 1992, and the quirky and vibrant tale of identity mix-up in Toto Le Héros, to the monumental saga of Daens or the Oscar nominated Everybody Famous, the string of critically lauded dramatic works of the brilliant duo Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, Farinelli, The Eighth Day, Memory of a Killer, Moscow, Belgium, or The Misfortunates. The list goes on and on. The capacity of Belgian cinema to tell new stories, funny or realistic, happy or sad, but always surprising and captivating, is striking.

In 2009, Belgium produced 34 feature films, 171 shorts and some 75 documentaries. A two-track approach makes sure that both mainstream and art-house films are produced.

The film sector benefits from the support of the Flanders Audiovisual Fund and the Centre du Cinéma et de l’Audiovisuel. On the national level, a “tax shelter,” which has proven very successful, offers tax benefits to Belgian companies or enterprises that invest in audiovisual work, short and feature films, TV fiction and documentaries. Producers in Belgium also have access to European sources of financing, Eurimages of the Council of Europe and the MEDIA program of the European Commission. More information on these opportunities are available at www.belgiumfilm.be .

July 27 2010

A week of National Day Celebrations

D.C.’s top Belgian toques come together to celebrate their heritage and history this July with a week’s worth of activities to honor Belgium’s National Day. From Thursday, July 15th to Wednesday, July 21st Chefs Bart Vandaele of Belga Café, Robert Wiedmaier of Brasserie Beck and Claudio Pirollo of Et Voila! will host a series of festivities showcasing the traditions and customs of Belgium as well as marking the 180th anniversary of Belgium’s successful secession from the Netherlands. With pride in their heritage Vandaele, Wiedmaier and Pirollo highlight aspects of Belgium culture that has gained international appreciation: its culture and cuisine.

With activities for every age group, ‘The Best of Belgium’ includes traditional Belgian treats ranging from mussels and frites to chocolate and waffles to a variety of beers. Festivities will be held at all three restaurants and feature:

» Thursday, July 15th – Belgian Beer Dinner:
Chefs Vandaele, Wiedmaier and Pirollo along with Belgian Embassy Chef Jan Van Haute prepare a delectable four-course dinner as Brasserie Beck’s Beer Director Thor Cheston pours a selection of Belgian beers. Set in the pristine dining room of the Belgian Ambassador Jan Matthysen’s Residence, this exclusive dinner begins with a cocktail reception at 7:00 p.m. and is priced at $175 per person, with profits benefiting a local charity. Tickets are available for purchase at participating restaurants.
» Friday, July 16th – Belgian Happy Hour:
Visit Belga Café, Brasserie Beck and Et Voila for half-priced Belgian brews on tap. Enjoy this European happy hour lasting from 2 – 7 p.m.
» Saturday, July 17th – Mussels Throw Down:
Join the three toques at Belga Café for a throw down to crown the master of mussels. The chefs will test their culinary prowess to prepare the most delectable mussels of the day. The competition begins at noon and will be judged by some of DC’s finest foodies.
» Sunday, July 18th – Not Your Traditional Belgian Waffle:
Brunch at any of the participating restaurants and choose a nontraditional Belgian Waffle from Belga Café, Brasserie Beck and Et Voila!
» Monday, July 19th – Mussels from Brussels:
Feast on Mussels from Brussels as Brasserie Beck features a special three-course menu highlighting mussel creations from Chef Vandaele, Wiedmaier and Pirollo.
» Tuesday, July 20th – Belgian Chocolate Fest:
Indulge in Belgium’s sweetest offering: chocolate! Enjoy a day filled with chocolate creations and Belgian beers at Et Voila!
» Wednesday, July 21s – Belgian National Day:
Belga Café, Brasserie Beck and Et Voila will celebrate the flavors of the flag as they each create delicious and traditional Belgian fare and pour their astounding Belgian beers. Join the three toques in a celebration of customs and country during the weeklong Belgian culinary festival.

Text courtesy of 2911 productions Inc.

Secretary Clinton wishes Belgium a Happy National Day

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Belgium on the 180th anniversary of your National Day this July 21.

The rich history between the United States and Belgium dates back to before our nations were founded. We have stood together for centuries, aiding each other in adversity, cheering one another’s successes, and building strong international organizations to address global challenges. In addition to hosting NATO and European Union institutions, Belgium’s current presidency of the EU showcases the foundational role you have played in building and strengthening European leadership in the region and around the globe.

Today, our partnership is more vibrant than ever. Belgium is a crucial part of the United States’ relationship with Europe as we work together on the key issues of our world. We particularly applaud Belgium’s continued advocacy for political and economic cooperation and assistance to developing regions of the world.

I wish all Belgians a safe and joyous National Day celebration and look forward to continuing our close partnership to secure a more peaceful and prosperous future for us all.

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

July 20, 2010

California High Speed Rail Authority

Belgium signed a cooperation agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority to continue sharing high-speed rail planning end development information.

“This is another example of the international recognition and support of California’s high-speed rail system,” said Curt Pringle, Chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. “We’re pleased that this partnership with Belgium will enhance our planning as this project moves forward.”

Belgium has been operating high-speed rail since 1997, with routes connecting Belgium to France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The agreement includes the exchange of information on technical standards, purchasing and building methods, engineering know-how, funding options as well as operations and maintenance data.

“Belgium has extensive experience and expertise in providing high-speed rail technology, with neutrality and objectivity towards technical references, standards and manufacturers. The Belgian railways have been instrumental in making European high-speed rail a success, through international technical integration. We’re happy to share this experience with the California HSRA”, said Geert Criel, Consul General of Belgium in Los Angeles, who signed the agreement for the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The signing of the agreement was followed by a presentation of high-speed rail in Belgium by TUC-RAIL (Belgian Railways group). TUC RAIL extended and modernized one of the world’s busiest railway networks situated at the heart of Europe and has been involved in many international projects, acquiring valuable experience as a leader in high-speed rail technology.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is the state entity responsible for planning, constructing and operating an 800-mile-long high-speed train system serving California's major metropolitan areas.

Text courtesy of 2911 productions Inc.

July 20, 2010

Ambassador Welcomes Belgian Microsoft Partners

On the occasion of the 2010 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington, DC (July 11-15), the Ambassador of Belgium and Mrs. Jan Matthysen hosted a garden-reception for Belgian Microsoft Partners at their Foxhall Road Residence on July 12. The event was co-hosted by Microsoft Belux’ Utah-born and Stanford-educated Belgian General Manager Phillip G.J. Vandervoort. Addressing the 100-odd guests in attendance, Mr. Vandervoort proudly announced that Microsoft Belgium and Luxembourg was still in the running for the coveted kudos of MS Subsidiary of the Year.

The Ambassador had previously wished a warm welcome to the guests and underlined the importance of the US-Belgium bond. For Jan Matthysen: «You as Microsoft Partners are prime examples of the bond that exists between the US and Belgium, a bond that is not only rich in history, but continues to grow strong every day on a political and economic level.”

Among Microsoft’s other executives in attendance were Julie Bennani, General Manager, Microsoft Partner Network, and Wolfgang Ebermann, Vice President Sales EMEA Region, who also addressed the group.

In March 2008, during the Belgian Economic Mission to Seattle, Prince Philippe of Belgium visited Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, WA and met with CEO S teve Balmer. A little over a year later, in June 2009, King Albert II of the Belgians visited the Microsoft Innovation Center in Saint-Ghislain near Mons.

Belgium 6th Most Attractive Country
for Foreign Investments in 2009

A new study by Ernst & Young, Barometer of Belgian Attractiveness, reveals that Belgium has jumped from 8th to 6th place in the annual listing of the most attractive European countries for foreign investment. The number of investment projects increased from 142 to 146, which gives Belgium a market share of 4.4% of all projects in Europe. Overall the number of projects in Europe declined by 11%.

Belgium jumped from 14th to 13th place in terms of job creation through foreign investments. About two-thirds of the projects were new projects, compared to only half in 2008. Most of the investments were in sales and marketing, industry and logistics.

The group of foreign investment countries is led by the United States (33 projects), followed by the UK (16), France (14), Germany (13), Japan (12), and the Netherlands (9).

The survey among 800 business leaders indicates that Belgium’s appeal as an investment location was mostly due to its excellent quality of life, telecom infrastructure, transport and logistics, the quality of its workforce and its stable social relations.

The general Ernst & Young 2010 Survey on European attractiveness “Waking up to the New Economy” was presented at the 8th World Investment Conference in La Baule, France. In general, the study showed that the big European economies held up relatively well in terms of their ability to attract inward investment in 2009.  Larger Western European markets were still seen as safe havens in uncertain times.

www.ey.be

July 14, 2010

Belgium Beyond Expectations

Two new films entitled 'Belgium… beyond Expectations' – have been released to promote Belgium abroad. The emphasis of the six-minute film for the general public is on geographic and cultural diversity, ranging from the country’s cultural heritage to contemporary art, architecture and fashion, to the Belgian way of life. The seven-minute film for businesses turns the spotlight on five major assets of Belgium: highly developed R&D, Belgium’s strategic location, the know-how available there, its status as the ideal test market and the country’s quality of life. Both films are being shown in the Belgian Pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai. The two films will also be used at various official occasions and festivities during the current six-month Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Belgium Beyond expectations

July 14, 2010

Belgium European Leader in Clinical Trials

A recent survey by Deloitte shows that Belgium has the highest number of medicines under development per capita and has the largest number of clinical trials per capita in Europe: of all clinical trials conducted in Europe, 9% are performed in Belgium.

The pharmaceutical industry is of crucial importance to the Belgian economy. Over 40% of private investment in R&D is targeted at the pharma sector. Approval times for clinicals trials in Belgium are among the shortest in Europe: 15 days for Phase I and 28 days for Phase I-IV. This provides life sciences companies having trial activities in Belgium with a competitive advantage over other European regions. The collaborations between hospitals, universities, research centers and pharmaceutical companies have created an ideal environment for this essential part of developing an innovative therapy.

With “The initiative to promote clinical trials in Belgium,” key organizations in the pharmaceutical industry have established a shared Internet platform to cope with sector challenges, such as increased competition from countries like India and China. The goal is to safeguard the leading role Belgium is playing in clinical research.

http://www.theinitiative.be/

July 14, 2010

Ambassadors Dinner of the European-American Business Council

On July 1st, first day of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Ambassador of Belgium and Mrs. Jan Matthysen hosted the Ambassadors Dinner of the European-American Business Council. Subtitled “Trans-Atlantic Competitiveness in the 21st Century,” this 6th edition of the prestigious annual event was attended by more than 20 European Ambassadors in Washington and numerous high-level representatives of the Administration and executives of EABC member companies.

In his speech on “America’s Competitive Agenda,” Undersecretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Robert Hormats stressed the need for active transatlantic co-operation on standards, testing and regulations, underlining the danger that “nationalistic standards” represent for the world economy. Noting that there was only so much air that could be “let out of the tire,” Mr. Hormats also stressed the necessity for the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) to urgently start delivering better, as the US-EU cabinet-level forum has in his view yet to fulfill all expectations. EABC Chairman Hugo Paemen, former EC Ambassador to the US, had previously introduced the Hon. Robert Hormats by reminding him of their previous encounters at a much earlier stage in both their diplomatic and administrative careers.

In his own address, the Belgian Ambassador briefly explained the new “division of labor” between the different European institutions under the Lisbon Treaty, with the EU Delegation in Washington taking over the primary responsibility of representing the Union in the United States. Turning to the business representatives, Ambassador Matthysen added : “as our Presidency may seem here taking the back seat, it will be a high-octane one in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg, also on the transatlantic issues that really matter for most of you present here: smart and better regulation, trade facilitation, external dimension of the internal market and of the internal digital market, standardization and mutual recognition, labeling, bio-economy and – more generally, the outward projection of the 2020 [European Growth & Jobs] Strategy and the new European economic governance.”

Most of these issues mentioned by the Ambassador were also tackled in the presentations made by EABC President & CEO (and the evening’s Master of Ceremonies) Michael Maibach and by the other private sector leaders present, a.o. Deutsche Post DHL’s Wolfgang Pordzik, Oracle’s Joseph Alhadeff and Northrop Grumman’s David Stafford. Mr. Alexis Brouhns, Director of Corporate Government & Public Affairs for Solvay, the Belgian Chemical multinational that recently joined EABC, put a specific emphasis on the importance of green building standards in general, and of the US’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in particular. Other speakers voiced concerns for issues like the reform of airline ownership and control rules in the EU-US Open Skies aviation agreements and the revision of the EU “Privacy Directive.”

Among EABC member companies present, the Ambassador was also especially happy to welcome a delegation of European executives of the California biotech group Amgen, an important investor in Belgium, as well as a representative of IPEX Management Inc., the Canada subsidiary of Brussels-based Aliaxis Group.

July 7, 2010

Triple event on export control and procurement

Ambassador Matthysen hosts a triple event on export control and procurement at the Belgian Residence

On Thursday, June 24th, Ambassador Matthysen hosted a seminar at his Foxhall Residence on the issue of transatlantic trends in export control and acquisition reform. The panelists included Dr. Patricia Wrightson, Associate Director of the Board on Global Science and Technology at the National Research Council; Stephanie Sanok, Senior Fellow with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies; MK Technology's Dr. Paul Freedenberg and Lieutenant General (retired) Dick Reynolds, Chair of the Evaluation of U.S. Air Force Preacquisition Technology Development projects at the National Academies. The discussion was moderated by Terry Murphy, OBE, Foreign Trade Adviser for Belgium and a well-known practitioner of export control and sanctions law.

Fifty participants attended the seminar which was followed by a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Defense Industrial Association (represented by Mr. Terry Otis, Director International Relations at ITT Defense International) and its counterpart, Agoria/Belgian Security & Defence Industry (Chairman Freddy Versluys, CEO of O.I.P.), which had previously been widely announced in Belgian newspapers like "L'Echo" and the "Financieel Economische Tijd."

A reception and a dinner concluded the event, in the presence of Mr. Dave Scott, President of Barco North America and of several Barco USA board members, including Gen Reynolds and former Assistant Secretary of the Army Page Hoeper.

In his speech, the Ambassador of Belgium congratulated NDIA and BSDI, underlining that security is one of the sectors where a deeper involvement of the corporate community in the transatlantic project is essential. For Ambassador Matthysen: "Against the background of budgetary constraints and industrial consolidation, a healthy competition between a large enough pool of producers in the transatlantic market remains essential, as will be the synergies and cooperation between US and EU industry champions and innovators to avoid redundancies, foster technological excellence and provide our troops and security services with the best equipment possible".

He also singled out the outstanding contribution of BSDI's Director, Brig Gen (Ret) Dany Van de Ven, who before taking up his current function served for 5 years in this very Embassy as the Defence Attaché for Belgium to the USA and Canada. In his own remarks, Gen Van de Ven - who spent another 6 years of his career in other Air Force assignments in the US -- stressed the example of Barco as a truly transatlantic corporation, reminding the audience that the company's name itself was originally the "Belgian American Radio Corporation".

During the lively and interactive panel discussion, Dr. Wrightson noted that a comprehensive reform of the export control process seemed to be needed as many of the current national security controls regulating access to, and export of science and technology arose from policies that were crafted for the cold-war era. Raising the question: "Can we do more with less?", Stephanie Sanok (CSIS) underlined that the current export control review in the US takes place in a context of serious budget constraints on both sides of the Atlantic, stressing the fact that the argument of jobs, revenue, and rate of return will increasingly resonate in the debate. Former Undersecretary of Commerce for Export Administration, Dr. Paul Freedenberg, warned that reconciling the existing two export control lists (known as USML and CCL) into one shortened list will be very difficult as many vested interests will battle over commodity jurisdictions.

July 7, 2010

Pittsburgh High School Students Want to be Ambassadors

On June 28th, the Belgian embassy received 20 high school students from Pittsburgh. As a part of an ‘I want to be an ambassador!’ summer program initiated by the non-profit organization Luminari, they visited Washington to learn directly from diplomats. Embassy secretary Joris Totté gave an interactive presentation and asked the students how they would promote Pittsburgh, how they would explain their city abroad and what skills they would apply to do so. The result was a lively interaction about the transformation of economies, the e-health sector, climate change, the strengths of the Belgian economy and the various functions of the embassy. Too bad I can not serve in the Belgian foreign service’, concluded one of the students at the end, ‘but I will travel there.’

June 28, 2010

Belgian basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers

Didier Mbenga, “Congo Cash” as he is affectionately called on the court, is an icon of success in the basketball world in the United States. Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he moved to Belgium in the 1990’s. He now has both the Belgian and Congolese nationalities, and currently lives in Los Angeles.

He was discovered by Belgian basketball legend Willy Steveniers, who was impressed by his talent and strong dedication to sports. Didier Mbenga started his basketball career for the Antwerp Diamond Giants in 1999 and a number of other teams in Belgium before signing with the Dallas Mavericks in 2004. He has been on the Los Angeles Lakers Team since 2007, with whom he won the NBA finals in 2009 and again in 2010. Congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers and Didier Mbenga for this impressive performance!

But Didier Mbenga rises above the glamour and his success as an athlete: this down-to-earth man has a heart the size of his native country. Mbenga created a foundation (www.mbengafoundation.org) which is involved in setting up education projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As Mr. Mbenga mentions on his website: “After knowing ups and downs in my life, I consider myself very fortunate and I want to give back. I want to use my celebrity to help the children of Congo in any way I can, and hope others will join me in my efforts”.

June 29, 2010

Text courtesy of the Belgian Consulate General in Los Angeles

Program of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union

On July 1, Belgium will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for a six-month period. The program of the Belgian Presidency was officially released on June 25. You can find it here:
Nederlands
Français
English

The Presidency’s Web site may be accessed at: www.eutrio.be

Deepwater Horizon oil leak : Belgian proposals for assistance

In a letter addressed last week to the Deepwater Horizon Unified Command, the Ambassador of Belgium to the US has expressed his deepest sympathy for the tragic loss of lives and the continuing environmental damage in the Gulf of Mexico. Wishing National Incident Commander Admiral (ret.) Thad Allen success in the current endeavors to protect a precious ecosystem and the livelihoods of so many, Ambassador Matthysen also vowed to help identify and mobilize Belgian technologies that may help alleviate the ecological and social impact of the disaster.

As a first step, the relevant Belgian official bodies could allow, if so required, the DN 31 ship to be temporarily deployed in the Gulf area. This state-of-the-art surface oil spill skimming vessel is normally obligated to remain in standby in the North Sea under charter by the Belgian and Dutch Governments.

The Belgian company operating the DN 31, Jan De Nul, has also recently presented to the Louisiana and Plaquemines Parish authorities a concept based on bringing sand from offshore borrow areas to construct barrier islands to stop the oil entering into the wetlands, as well as an oil-leak recovery plan using the 39 inch riser of Jan De Nul’s vessel Simon Stevin. Another vessel of the company, 60,000 cubic yard hopper tank-equipped Cristobal Colon, could be deployed within 11 days to support the increasingly urgent recovery of underwater oil plumes.

A mission by another Belgian leading infrastructure company, marine and waterway contractor Dredging International, is currently in the Gulf of Mexico area to present the contribution its unique technological edge could provide in the constructing of a sand-berm barrier along the coast of Louisiana to protect it against the oil spill. Dredging’s International’s subsidiary, DEME Group, estimates that its groundbreaking dredging, environmental and marine engineering processes could significantly reduce the environmental cleansing and decontamination period in the Gulf area.

Particularly relevant for tourist-beaches cleaning, Tubize-based Deep Green company, has a patented “Thermophile in-situ” technology allowing for the decontamination of soil containing hydrocarbons without having to displace the soil itself. This technology, based on the circulation of hot gasses in tubes, ensures complete removal of pollution, contrary to other “in situ” techniques.

According to Ambassador Matthysen: “every large-scale oceanic pollution is by definition a global disaster as it affects a shared legacy. In this context, I sincerely wish that Belgian engineering and technology will be in a position to contribute to the containing and mitigating of the disaster”.

Breast cancer research

A Belgian scientist at the American National Institute of Health, in cooperation with scientists at Ghent University Hospital in Belgium have discovered a protein (RAB27) that plays a significant role in the extent in which breast tumors prove to be malignant. The results of the study are published in the prestigious Journal of the National Cancer Institute. This discovery offers new perspectives for more correct diagnoses and treatments, and could lead to better drugs for keeping cancer under control. Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. In Belgium, approximately 9000 people are diagnosed with this disease annually.

Belgian Royal Military Acadamy visits DC

On June 14th, Ambassador and Mrs. Jan Matthysen hosted a reception for the officers in training of the Royal Military Academy of Belgium. The officers are taking an end-of-study trip the purpose of which is to acquaint them with the principal aspects of U.S. defense politics, economics and finance. As part of this trip, they visited Washington, DC, before heading to the naval base of Norfolk, Virginia.
In his welcoming remarks to the group, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of Washington, one of the world’s politico-military, diplomatic and economic capitals. General Major Harry Vindevogel, Commandant of the Royal Military Academy, thanked the Ambassador for his hospitality.
The reception was attended by Ambassadors and/or Defense Attachés invited on the basis of each student’s nationality, as well as diplomats from the Embassy of Belgium. Also present were staff members of the Pentagon Foreign Liaison Offices and other international organizations and institutions that the students also visited during their stay in DC, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the National Defense University and the Atlantic Council.

Ambassador hosts L3 and holocaust museum officials

On June 11 Ambassador and Mrs. Matthysen hosted a dinner at their residence for a group of CEOs and former CEOs coming to Washington from all over the United States as participants in a “purposeful travel” program focusing on genocide and human rights. The Matthysens’ guests included members of “L3 - Leaders building Legacies for Life,” executives who have reached the top leadership positions in their organizations and are now interested in giving back to society, and the director and several senior staff members of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

In his welcoming remarks, the Ambassador said he admires L3’s support of institutions like the Holocaust Museum which is dedicated to making human rights a top priority.

To thank the Ambassador and Mrs. Mathyssen for their hospitality, L3 made a contribution in their names to the Stephen Tyrone Johns Summer Youth Leadership Program Endowment Fund. The Matthysens were very touched by this gesture which honors the memory of Officer Johns, who died heroically on June 10, 2009 protecting Museum visitors and staff from a brutal act of hatred.

Ambassador hosts dinner for the Marshall Memorial Fellowship Program.

On June 3rd, Belgian ambassador to the United States Jan Matthysen hosted a dinner at his residence for the Marshall Memorial Fellowship Program. This program of the German Marshall Fund is the flagship leadership development initiative of the organization. Through formal and informal meetings with a range of policymakers, the Marshall Memorial Fellowship (MMF) provides a unique opportunity for emerging leaders from the United States and Europe to engage with counterparts across the Atlantic in five cities. All Fellows spend 24 days traveling on the other side of the Atlantic, meeting with counterparts to learn about politics, economics, and society in five different cities. As a staunch supporter of transatlantic understanding and cooperation, ambassador Matthysen fully supports the efforts of the program: ‘even at a time when the transatlantic relations are at a high, these kind of programs make sure that we keep the understanding going, in order to forge cooperation that is based on mutual understand and respect.’

Ambassador Matthysen Visits Denver

Like many of the other 181 accredited ambassadors in Washington, Belgian Ambassador Jan Matthysen welcomes an occasional trip beyond the Beltway to an American city where foreign ambassadors are more of a rarity. When he was invited by the Colorado European Union Center of Excellence (CEUCE) to speak on Belgium, the EU and transatlantic affairs, he accepted with pleasure.

His talk, followed by a lively Q&A, took place at a May 27 “Transatlantic Affairs Speakers Series” breakfast for CEO’s and state officials, including Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. On the following day, at a conference on the economic crisis hosted by the University of Denver, the Ambassador delivered the keynote address entitled “The Transatlantic Relation: A Sure Bet in Times of Uncertainty.”

Frank Schuchat, Belgium’s Honorary Consul in Denver, very capably organized the two-day program that gave many in Denver an opportunity to greet Belgium’s top diplomat to the United States and afforded the Ambassador a chance to get to know the Mile High City.

One highlight on the program was a visit to the U.S. branch of BEST (Belgian Electronic Sorting Technology), an innovative world leader in the engineering, manufacturing, selling and installing of sorter machines for the food and non-food industry. CEO Paul Bergmans gave the Ambassador an overview of the company’s assembly facility and used the occasion of his visit to announce BEST’s expansion plans in the U.S. BEST would like to produce its entire line of machines for the North American market in its Colorado facilities, and in doing so achieve its plans to double sales to $130 million over the next five years.
(www.bestsorting.com/news/VisitAmbassadorBESTUSA)

At the Fitzsimons Life Science District, in Aurora, an incubator for high-tech enterprises, many of which are spin-offs of the University of Colorado, the Ambassador heard much praise for Baron Paul Janssen, founder of Janssen Pharmaceutica (now part of Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research).

Ambassador Matthysen also enjoyed a visit to a “Smart House” which has specific features enabling the handicapped to live autonomously. A specialized Belgian nurse, who lives in Denver, hopes to link this technology with similar initiatives in Belgium.

His visit was rounded out by attending a fundraising dinner for a local charity where he had a chance to meet civic leaders; a breakfast with members of the local Belgian community; and a stop at the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art which was featuring an exhibition of films, paintings and drawings by Belgian artist Michaël Borremans.

The Ambassador found the people of Denver well disposed toward Belgium. While he credits some of this goodwill to the Belgian entrepreneurs and scientists who have settled in the area, he also muses about the positive contribution of Belgian beer and gastronomic specialties, which seem to be equally well established in the Colorado capital.

Bach Consort at Belgian Residence

Ambassador Jan Matthysen hosted members of the Bach Consort and its friends and supporters at his residence on Thursday, May 20th. The Ambassador’s 120 guests, including Senator Jay Rockefeller, enjoyed a program that featured soprano Elizabeth Futral who sang Bach's “Solo Cantata: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen.” The “Musical Feast” included seven other short selections by Bach that were introduced by Music Director J. Reilly Lewis and performed by selected Bach Consort musicians.

The evening’s extra surprise was a copy of an 18th century harpsichord from Antwerp, by Johannes Daniel Dulcken, built and provided by Mark Adler. Reilly Lewis brought the instrument to life through the wonderful “Première Suite in G Major: Andante & Vivace” by Flemish composer Joseph-Hector Fiocco (1703-1741).

Ambassador Matthysen said “The Embassy highly values its relationship with the Bach Consort, one of Washington’s finest performing arts ensembles, and I was delighted with the evening’s musical program.”

EU Embassy Open House Day: Shortcut to Europe

Why our visitors enjoyed Belgium during Embassy Open House Day

On Saturday, May 8th, the fourth edition of “Shortcut to Europe,” the European Union Embassies’ Open House Day, offered people a chance to visit the continent through the embassies of all twenty-seven EU member states. At the Belgian Embassy, people got a peek into our offices and the Belgian way of life, and apparently our guests enjoyed the opportunity to pay a visit to Belgium in Washington, DC. 4473 visitors came through our front door to learn about our country and what we do here at the embassy. They discovered the art of lacemaking, and watched movies on our bilateral relations with the United States and about the Princess Elisabeth station, the first zero emission research station in Antarctica. They also had a taste of some of our culinary treats including juices, beer, waffles, cookies and chocolate.

Comments by our Visitors

“My father is from Belgium and I have visited the country several times with my husband,” said Lynne Goss. “My father was born and raised in Brussels and would send us on vacations to Europe. So we spent our summers touring different countries.”
“We were here at the Embassy last year,” her husband Joe added. “You have a beautiful tapestry by Jespers, an artist whom we own a painting of. And it doesn’t hurt that you have a nice beer collection.”
“At first, Belgians are a little more reserved or self-contained than Americans, but they make wonderful friends once you get to know them,” Lynne said.

“We are visiting our daughter who lives in Washington DC and decided to come to your Embassy today. We are also going to the embassies of the UK and Italy,” said William and Beth Honrath, who came from Wisconsin.
“My father fought in Belgium during the war, in the Battle of the Bulge,” William Honrath explained. “We have been to Brussels and Bruges. People were very friendly and we loved the French fries. Belgians know how to eat. There are some great Belgian restaurants in Wisconsin.”
“There isn’t much in Europe as beautiful and well-preserved as Bruges,” he suggested, while his spouse added that they “also liked Brussels. It is very cosmopolitan and we enjoyed our stay at the Métropole.”

“Belgium is the first European country that I was ever in,” said Chris Terry, a visitor from Chicago. “In 1971, I traveled there as a teenager, on Sabena from JFK, and stayed at a hostel. I would like to go back and visit Antwerp and Ghent.”

“I came to your Embassy because I have heard wonderful things about the chocolates and the waffles,” Celest Allred said.
“We’re very impressed that you have so many things happening in different rooms,” added her friend Angie Siggard, an intern at a senator’s office. “It’s nice that it’s spread out and that we can visit several offices. It just shows how open you are, you get the feeling that it’s more welcoming.”

“I’ve always wanted to go to Brussels, so I wanted to come here and see what Belgium is about,” said Elena López, a visual graphics designer and DC resident who grew up in New York.” I hear it’s a beautiful country. I have seen wonderful photos and brochures. The castles, the zoo in Antwerp… It’s just amazing.”

“I am currently writing an expat guide about Washington and have come to the open house to talk to your diplomats about the services that are available for arriving expats,” said Victoria Reynolds, a DC resident who has lived in Paris for a few years. “I think it is important for expats to embrace their own culture while they are abroad and meet with people from their country.”
“There are not enough groups to help people come together,” she added. “The psychological aspect of acclimating to a new environment is often underestimated and it is hard to know where to go to for emotional support.”

Princess Astrid aids fight against malaria

In late April, Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium traveled to the United States and Canada to raise awareness about malaria and call for increased action in the fight against this preventable, treatable disease that continues to take the lives of nearly one million people a year. In her capacity as Special Representative for the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, Princess Astrid has met with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other key partners to highlight World Malaria Day, April 25, 2010.

On April 20 and 21 Princess Astrid was in Washington, DC, for meetings with Admiral Tim Ziemer, Head of the Presidential Malaria Initiative, with officials of the United Nations Foundation and the Pan American Health Organization, and with Mr. Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank.

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