Belgian PM to visit White House on Friday

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo will meet US president Joe Biden in Washington on Friday, the White House has announced.

The two leaders will reaffirm the close partnership between the US and Belgium on global issues. Support for Ukraine, including the use of frozen Russian assets, will be discussed.

"The US-Belgium relationship is more important than ever"

The situation in the Middle East will also be discussed, the prime minister's office said. De Croo, as chair of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union, will discuss trade relations between the EU and the US.

"The US-Belgium relationship is more important than ever. Our country is a bridge to the EU," said De Croo. This meeting confirms Belgium's status as a strategic partner of the US, he added. "We have worked closely together in recent years, especially in supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia."

"We have worked closely together in recent years, especially in supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia"

The visit is also an opportunity to support European industry and Belgian companies. "The US is Belgium's main export destination outside the European Union and Belgium is the third largest US export location within the EU," said De Croo. 

He also highlighted Belgium's role as a logistics hub and gateway to the European market. This is the first visit to the White House by a Belgian prime minister since 2006.

^{© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}