Belgium to cut back on diplomatic presence abroad

Belgium’s foreign affairs department has announced it will shut down 18 embassies and consulates around the world in a round of heavy budget cuts, Belgian media report.

To help meet the government-imposed savings of €30 million in the coming years, the department plans to do away with as many as 18 Belgian embassies and consulates worldwide. Foreign affairs minister Didier Reynders (MR) chose the 18 from a list of 33 diplomatic missions that were threatened with closure, reports De Standaard.

The biggest savings will come from closing the embassy in the Afghan capital Kabul, due to high security costs there such as a permanent presence of Belgian paratroopers.

A number of diplomatic posts across the EU will also close, including offices in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (pictured). Consulates in Morocco, South Africa, Ecuador, Bolivia and Canada will also disappear due to budget cuts.