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Belgium - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-BELGIAN RELATIONS The United States and Belgium are good friends and allies, despite occasional disagreements on a limited number of foreign policy issues. Good will and affection for Americans continues as a result of the U.S. role during and after the two World Wars, most recently exhibited in 2004 during the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Belgium. The U.S. appreciates Belgian activism in international affairs including its participation in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, its reconstruction and development assistance to Iraq, its peacekeeping missions in the Balkans and Lebanon, its frequent provision of airlift in international crises, and its hosting of 2005 and 2007 transatlantic dialogues between European foreign ministers and the Secretary of State. During the January 17, 2006 visit by Prime Minister Verhofstadt, President Bush thanked him for his 'leadership' in helping 'the people of the Congo realize their full potential.' The U.S. continues to believe that Belgium could be even more active in sharing the international security burden. As an outward-looking nation, Belgium works closely with the United States bilaterally and in international and regional organizations to encourage economic and political cooperation and assistance to developing countries. Belgium has welcomed hundreds of U.S. firms to its territory, many of which have their European headquarters there. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador--Sam Fox Deputy Chief of Mission--William Imbrie Political Counselor--Theodore H. Andrews Economic Counselor--Terri L. Robl Management Counselor--Kathleen Austin-Ferguson Commercial Counselor--Camille Sailer Regional Security Officer--Kevin W. Bauer Public Affairs Counselor--Chris Rochester Consul General--Colwell C. Whitney The U.S. Embassy in Belgium is located at 27 Boulevard du Régent, 1000 Brussels (tel. 02/501-2111, fax 02/511-2725). The European Logistical Support Office (ELSO) is at Norrderlaan 147, Box 12A, 2030 Antwerp (tel. 03/542-4775, fax 03/542-6567). The Consular section in Brussels is located at 25 Boulevard du Régent. U.S. Mission to NATO Permanent U.S. Representative to NATO (USNATO)--Victoria J. Nuland Deputy Chief of Mission, USNATO--Richard G. Olson The U.S. Mission to NATO (USNATO) is at NATO Headquarters, on the Autoroute de Zaventem, 1110 Brussels (tel. 02/724-3111, fax 02/726-5796). U.S. Mission to the EU Ambassador to the European Union--C. Boyden Gray Deputy Chief of Mission, USEU--Mike McKinley The U.S. Mission to the EU is located at 15, rue Zinner, 1000 Brussels (tel. 02/508-2222, fax 02/514-4339).