De Wever calls for cooperation, free trade and stronger defence at UN General Assembly
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever made a strong plea for international cooperation, free trade and respect for international law. “Let us prove that humanity's destiny is not to dominate or suffer, but to cooperate,” De Wever told world leaders in New York.
The prime minister urged nations to resist “new forms of imperialism” and “new military threats,” pointing directly to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Belgium, he pledged, would take “full responsibility” by investing more in defence and deepening integration of its armed forces and defence industry with European partners.
De Wever also called for stronger cross-border cooperation to counter international organised crime and strongly rejected the rise of protectionism. "Free and fair trade is the way forward. We must cherish and defend it. We must break down trade barriers."
Defying Trump
His speech came at a moment when the authority of international organisations, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law are increasingly under pressure. De Wever told Belgian journalists afterwards that he had sharpened his message in response to US president Donald Trump’s criticism of the UN and Europe earlier this week.
“Let us prove that humanity's destiny is not to dominate or suffer, but to cooperate”
But the prime minister stressed that Europe itself must take responsibility. “It can become a national hobby to complain about Trump’s America, but I don’t see much point in that,” he said. “Europe has homework: build a stronger defence, remove trade barriers within the single market and conclude free trade agreements with other regions of the world that still have appetite for it.”
During his stay in New York, De Wever said he observed that many countries reject Trump’s vision of the world order and remain supportive of multilateralism. “You can indeed find that the UN is incapable of fulfilling its function, but then you can do two things: you can burn it down completely, or you can work on it."
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO TONY BEHAR
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