Belgium is embarrassed by the supply of arms to Great Britain

A new dispute arose between the Belgian government and Prime Minister Alexandre de Croix, who called him “sensitive”He will have to use his imagination to resolve it, preserving the unity of his fragile majority but also his country’s relationship with the United Kingdom.

There is talk of an arms deal by London with a Belgian firm, but it is now blocked in a row between the environmental left and the French-speaking liberal right, members of the federal government, because it conflicts with laws on the export of equipment. Dual use (civilian and military) in the nuclear field.

“During the war in Ukraine, while the Prime Minister returns from Kiev, we must absolutely avoid any confrontation with an ally.”By storm, on Monday, November 28, the majority MP. However, the resurgence of tension is very noticeable in the coalition, since on November 23, the information published by the channel LN24 about this file is classified as a secret defense.

The United Kingdom intends to purchase Belgian high-tech equipment, namely an isostatic press, a device that reduces the porosity of metal parts and increases their density. EPSI, a company from East Flanders, has become a leader in a field long dominated by American firms.

“Very important business partners”

The British authorities apply for an order to that effect ” research “Military, no doubt, but the equipment they’re hoping for could also be used for engines in the nuclear field. According to Belgian sources, the British Army also wants to use the facility to store its nuclear weapons.

Hence the present impasse. Environmentalists and the French-speaking PS rely on a 1981 law, revised in 2010, that bans the export of dual-use materials if they could support the development of “non-peaceful” nuclear energy. The Flemish region – where EPSI is headquartered – has of course issued an export license – necessary because the UK is no longer a member of the EU – but the federal government must also approve the contract’s compliance with nuclear. Nondisclosure Agreements.

The evaluation commission, which includes representatives of ten ministries, declared itself incompetent for the first time a few weeks ago. The Prime Minister indicated on November 24 that he will meet again in the near future “decide in accordance with the law”. At the same time, the head of the government insisted that “The British are our neighbors, our partners in many areas; Very important commercial partners, also important in the field of energy and of course in NATO”.