Brussels builds bridges with the world
In June 2026, Brussels ministers received several international representatives from France, Germany, Palestine, Morocco and China, with the support of Brussels International. These exchanges attest to the dynamic international relations of the Brussels-Capital Region and to how they also address practical challenges for the people of Brussels.
On 18 June 2026, Ahmed Laaouej, the Brussels Minister for Social Action and Solidarity, welcomed Mrs Amal Jadou Shaka’a, Palestinian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union, with a view to strengthening the state’s collaboration with the Brussels-Capital Region. © Yannick Coppens – SPRB-GOB
Strengthening the BCR’s partnership with France
France kicked off this series of international meetings on 2 June 2026. On that occasion, H.E. Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes, French Ambassador to Belgium, and Boris Dilliès, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR), discussed the prospects for strengthening the collaboration between the BCR and France. The discussions touched on the links that unite the BCR and France: the role of the French community based in Brussels and the promotion of Franco-Belgian heritage.
New avenues for cooperation were also discussed, more specifically in the fields of tourism, culture, mobility, and international influence, as well as the opening of the Kanal Museum, scheduled for later this year, and the exhibition “Brussels 1900” at the Petit Palais.
The BCR and France have a long-standing relationship. Brussels has been cooperating with the Lille European Metropolis (MEL) since 1996 and with the Île-de-France Region since 2001. These partnerships have seen a resurgence in recent years, with the renewal of cooperation agreements in 2019 with Lille and in 2021 with the Île-de-France region.
Berlin, a long-standing partner
The Land of Berlin is the BCR’s longest-standing partner region. A collaboration agreement was signed in 1992 between the two entities. In this context, H.E. Martin Kotthaus, Germany’s ambassador to Belgium, met with Boris Dilliès, the Minister-President of Brussels, to discuss several common challenges, including the future of the Audi site in Forest, security, and the fight against organised crime. Also on the agenda were exports of sensitive items, the possible introduction of a mileage-based tax, and the European and Brussels budgets. Many of these are current challenges in both Brussels and Germany, which is why it is important to continue sharing experiences.
During the meeting with H.E. Xavier Lapeyre de Cabanes, French Ambassador to Belgium (photo 1), the discussion focused in particular on European cooperation, training, and exchanges, whereas with H.E. Martin Kotthaus, German Ambassador to Belgium (photo 2), discussions mainly covered security and the budget. ©
Development cooperation outside Europe
The Brussels-Capital Region also seeks to collaborate with partners outside the European Union as part of its development cooperation efforts. In 2024, a partnership agreement was signed remotely between the BCR and the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate (West Bank). This is in line with the Brussels Government’s decision to designate the occupied Palestinian Territory as a priority area for development cooperation, with the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate as its local partner.
Following on from this agreement, Ahmed Laaouej, the Brussels Minister for Social Action and Solidarity, received Ms Amal Jadou Shaka’a, the Palestinian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union, on 18 June 2026 during a courtesy call.
As part of another courtesy call, a meeting was held with a Moroccan delegation led by Ambassador Mohammed Ameur on 3 June 2026. This exchange reaffirmed the ties established under the 2001 cooperation agreement between the BCR and the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region and discussed their future.
New avenues for collaboration with China
On 30 June 2026, the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region met with H.E. Fei Shengchao, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Belgium, with a view to exploring new opportunities for collaboration. This meeting took place during a symbolic year: 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Belgium.
Brussels maintains relations with several Chinese cities and regions. The region has been twinned with Beijing since 1994; the BCR has been cooperating with the City of Xi’an, the former imperial capital, initially through a 2011 declaration of intent and later through a 2020 bilateral agreement. Finally, a partnership has also been in place for many years with Sichuan Province, home of the giant pandas.
The meeting with H.E. Fei Shengchao, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Belgium, provided an opportunity to reaffirm existing ties and explore new opportunities for collaboration. © Yannick Coppens – SPRB-GOB
Building bridges on an international scale
These different meetings demonstrate the close links between international cooperation and the daily lives of the people of Brussels. Some very familiar challenges were covered during these meetings: travel, safety in towns and cities, opportunities for young people through training and exchanges, or even the position of Brussels in Europe and beyond. Brussels International plays an important role in this respect by helping to organise meetings, maintaining links with partners, and ensuring that these exchanges lead to partnerships at a more practical level.
Some relationships have been in place for several decades, whilst others are more recent or are taking on a whole new dimension today. Brussels thus continues to strengthen its international relations and build bridges with cities, regions and countries, both within and outside the European Union.