KUWAIT CITY, Feb 16: Belgian Ambassador to Kuwait Christian Dooms confirmed that Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prévot has agreed to postpone the decision to close the Belgian Embassy in Kuwait. In a press conference held at the Embassy of Belgium on Monday, Dooms clarified that the postponement pertains to the decision itself, not the closure process, meaning that both options remain on the table until 2027, when a decisive assessment will be conducted regarding the future of the embassy.

Dooms stated that it is important to be precise in the wording of the decision, as saying “the closure has been postponed” is entirely different from saying “the decision to close has been postponed.” He explained that he contacted the minister’s office to ensure the accuracy of the interpretation and received confirmation that the correct understanding is that the decision has yet to be finalized, not that the closure is inevitable at a later date. He pointed out that on Nov 14, 2025, Minister Prévot announced a decision to close eight diplomatic missions and open five new ones as part of the global diplomatic repositioning and expansion plan of Belgium. He added, “Some might think the restructuring is due to severe financial pressure, but it is based on the geopolitical review of the priorities of Belgium. While acknowledging that resources are not infinite and that opening new missions requires recalibration elsewhere, financial considerations were not the primary motivation behind the decision.”

He affirmed his strong belief in the potential of bilateral relations, indicating that he recently observed signs of change and reform in Kuwait, particularly the surge in infrastructure projects and road works. He considers this activity a positive message to Brussels and a contributing factor in reconsidering the closure decision.

He added that keeping the embassy in Kuwait has political significance, given the geopolitically sensitive location of Kuwait in the Gulf region. He pointed out that a presence on the ground provides a direct and accurate understanding of developments, which cannot be compensated by managing relations from another country. On the economic front, he said Kuwait has an essential presence in Belgium, with more than 500 Kuwaiti-owned gas stations, in addition to investments in the petrochemical sector near the port of Antwerp -- a major economic powerhouse in Belgium. He also cited the investments of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) in Belgium, while declining to disclose specific figures due to their confidential nature.

He discussed the potential for enhanced cooperation between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Kuwaiti ports, in light of major projects such as the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port. He indicated that the Kuwaiti side confirmed opportunities for European companies to act as subcontractors in these projects. He also revealed his efforts to persuade major Belgian companies operating in other Gulf countries to enter the Kuwaiti market, affirming that these companies enjoy a distinguished international reputation for their work on major projects worldwide. Regarding the impact of the potential closure of the embassy, he admitted that the uncertainty already affected some aspects, such as the decrease in visa applications, due to the belief among some that the embassy was on the verge of closing.

He explained that one of his objectives in announcing the postponement was to reassure the public that the embassy is currently operating and is not a “caretaker mission.” He stated that he is working hard to arrange high-level visits, including the Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister and the Belgian Prime Minister, to strengthen political communication, given the current high-level diplomatic activity in Kuwait. He reiterated that he is hoping to maintain the embassy in Kuwait, considering the current phase presents an opportunity to revitalize bilateral relations politically, economically, and culturally, and to demonstrate the importance of continuous diplomatic representation between the two countries.

On the canceled and newly established missions, he disclosed that diplomatic missions will open in Oman and Albania, and that a permanent representative will be appointed to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Namibia and Uzbekistan. He also mentioned the appointment of an ambassador to Syria, based in Beirut. He added the diplomatic missions that will be canceled include those in Sarajevo, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, Havana, Rio de Janeiro and Guangzhou.

By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff