Belgium–Russia relations
Belgium–Russia relations refers to the bilateral foreign relations between the two countries, Belgium and Russia. Russia has an embassy in Brussels and a consulate-general in Antwerp, whilst Belgium has an embassy in Moscow and a Consulate General in Saint Petersburg.
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Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The former country has good relations with the latter.
History
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High level contacts between Belgium and Russia began in the early 18th century, when Peter the Great visited the Southern Netherlands in 1717. Amongst towns he visited were Brussels, Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa.[1] Peter left his mark in Spa, when he built an edifice with a portico over the main spring, which the locals renamed in his honour as Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand.[2][3] Diplomatic relations were established between Belgium and the Russian Empire in 1853,[4] when Mikhail Irineyevich Khreptovich was appointed as the first envoy of the Russian Empire in Brussels on 19 March 1853.[5]
Trade relations
In 2004, trade between the two countries totally €4.75 billion, an increase of €1.18 billion over the previous year, with Russia holding a trade surplus of €1.51 billion in bilateral trade. Russian exports to Belgium were mainly commodities, including minerals (37%), precious and semi-precious stones (22%), ferrous and non-ferrous metals (17%) and chemical products (8%). Russian imports from Belgium were composed of industrial equipment (25%), chemicals and pharmaceuticals (18%), plastic products and rubber (9%), food (8%) and transportation (8%). In 2004, Belgium imported 30% of its oil and natural gas from Russia, although mainly spot market.[6] Air transport links between the two countries exist, with Aeroflot and Brussels Airlines operating flights between Moscow and Brussels.[7][8]
References
- Bogue, David (1852). "Chief town in Belgium and on the route of the Rhine". Belgium and the Rhine. London: D. Bogue. pp. 74–75. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
- Chambers, William (1842). "Spa to Cologne". A tour in Switzerland in 1841. Edinburgh: W. & R. Chambers. p. 8. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
- Logan, Leanne; Cole, Geert (2007). "The Ardennes". Belgium & Luxembourg (3rd ed.). Lonely Planet. p. 255. ISBN 1-74104-237-2. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
- Lemon, Mark; Mayhew, Henry; Taylor, Tom; Brooks, Shirley; Cowley Burnand, Francis; Seaman, Owen (1853). Punch. XXIV. London: Punch Publications Ltd. p. 211. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
- Представители Российской Империи В Других Странах (in Russian). Worldwide Historical Project. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
- Российско-бельгийские отношения (in Russian). Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 4 October 2005. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
- "ОАО "Аэрофлот — Российские авиалинии"" (in Russian). Polyot-Sirena. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
- "Delta Air Transport /Brussels Airlines/ Brussels Airlines" (in Russian). Polyot-Sirena. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Relations of Belgium and Russia. |
- Embassy of Belgium in Moscow
- Embassy of the Russian Federation in Brussels
- Consulate-General of the Russian Federation in Antwerp
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