Belgium’s Contribution to the Unity of Europe

The Times published a front-page article last Dec. 29 on the linguistic problems in Belgium, “In Belgium There Are No Belgians.”

In Belgium, two main cultures and languages (Dutch and French) have to coexist, not to forget the German community. Belgium could not survive and prosper as a nation, if a constant balance were not maintained between the different communities with respect for their constitutional, civil and administrative rights.

European unity has been the main objective of Belgian diplomacy during the past 30 years. The political leaders of Belgium are, without exception, firmly committed to this ideal, which transcends all regional differences.

We are dealing with a unique phenomenon, namely the fact that the multicultural aspects of our own nation and the frustrations arising from trying to maintain a constant balance between the linguistic communities makes us Belgians more keenly aware of the problems involved in the unification of our continent.

The European Community is no more culturally homogenous than Belgium is, as it associates countries with strong and age-old cultures, where “nationalism” has always been accepted as a matter of fact.

King Baudouin in his annual message to the nation on Jan. 20, referred to the Belgian contribution to the unity of Europe as follows: “Because of their location at the convergence of the two major cultural streams of Europe for the past 2,000 years, Belgians can more readily comprehend what is happening in Europe.

“This understanding of diverse cultures, the sense of reality and constructive compromises attributed to us, the absence of narrow nationalism based only on the past, our role as host of the European institutions, constitute a natural and particular calling for our country to be a prime mover in the community.”

Furthermore, my country has a very special relationship with the United States of America. The headquarters of the political body of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO), the Supreme Headquarters of Allied Powers in Europe (SHAPE) are located in Belgium.

Between 1960 and 1970 more than 2,200 American companies established branches, subsidiaries or offices in Belgium.

As a result, there is an important and flourishing community of Americans residing in my country, who appreciate its high productivity, its excellent infrastructure, its industrial and scientific accomplishments, its artistic cities and also its gourmet food.

I feel that the non-nationalistic approach of Belgium has indeed facilitated the establishment of those organizations and of this American business community on our soil.

A country that does not place great emphasis on narrow nationalism is sometimes in a better position to serve major international goals.

VINCENT L. van der MERSCH

Consul General of Belgium

in Los Angeles