Belgium delays decision on Embassy closure in Kuwait until 2027 amid renewed diplomatic optimism

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Kuwait held a press conference following Belgium’s decision to postpone the decision regarding the possible closure of its diplomatic mission in the State of Kuwait, granting a new review period that will extend until 2027.

The postponement was announced on February 11, 2026, by Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Prévot, after discussions with Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Speaking during the press conference, Belgium’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Christian Dooms, confirmed that the embassy will remain fully operational throughout the review period, emphasizing that what has been postponed is the decision itself, not the closure process.

“This means that both options — maintaining or closing the embassy — remain under consideration,” he said, noting that a final and decisive evaluation will take place in 2027.

The ambassador stressed the importance of precise wording, explaining that saying “the closure was postponed” differs significantly from saying “the decision on closure was postponed.”

He added that he personally contacted the Belgian foreign minister’s office to verify the interpretation and received confirmation that no final determination has yet been made and that closure is not inevitable.

Part of a Global Diplomatic Restructuring

Ambassador Dooms explained that the issue stems from a diplomatic review launched in November 2025 as part of Belgium’s broader restructuring of its global diplomatic network.

The plan involves opening or reinforcing embassies in Oman, Albania, Namibia, and Uzbekistan, appointing a permanent representative to the African Union in Addis Ababa, and designating an ambassador for Syria based in Beirut.

At the same time, several missions worldwide — including those in Sarajevo, Conakry, Bamako, Maputo, and Havana, as well as consulates general in Rio de Janeiro and Guangzhou — are scheduled to be closed or downgraded.

He acknowledged his surprise when Kuwait was included among the embassies slated for possible closure, noting that neither he, the embassy staff, nor the responsible regional department had been consulted prior to the announcement.

The ambassador clarified that the restructuring was not primarily driven by financial pressures but rather by a geopolitical reassessment of Belgium’s strategic priorities worldwide.

While resources remain finite and opening new missions requires adjustments elsewhere, financial considerations were not the main motivation behind the proposal.

Kuwait’s Development Momentum Influenced Reassessment

Dooms expressed strong confidence in the future of bilateral relations, highlighting clear signs of reform and development in Kuwait, particularly the rapid progress in infrastructure and road projects. He said this positive momentum sent encouraging signals to Brussels and contributed to reconsideration of the closure option.

He emphasized that maintaining an embassy in Kuwait carries clear political importance given the country’s strategic position in the geopolitically sensitive Gulf region, adding that diplomatic presence on the ground provides insights that cannot be replicated through remote representation from another country.

Deep Economic Ties and Investment Links

On the economic front, the ambassador highlighted Kuwait’s significant footprint in Belgium, including more than 500 Kuwaiti-owned fuel stations and petrochemical investments located near the Port of Antwerp, Belgium’s primary economic hub.

He also pointed to substantial investments by the Kuwait Investment Authority in Belgium, declining to disclose figures due to their confidential nature.

Dooms noted opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Kuwaiti ports, particularly in light of major infrastructure initiatives such as Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port. Kuwaiti officials, he said, have confirmed opportunities for European companies to participate as subcontractors in these large-scale projects.

He added that efforts are underway to encourage major Belgian companies already operating elsewhere in the Gulf region to expand into the Kuwaiti market, citing their strong international reputation in delivering major global projects.

Belgium will also continue close coordination with key Kuwaiti institutions, including the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority and the Kuwait Investment Authority, with a focus on building sustainable, long-term economic partnerships.

Trade and investment relations between the two countries currently amount to approximately €925 million, reflecting more than six decades of diplomatic cooperation across multiple sectors, including energy, investment, and trade.

Uncertainty Had Immediate Effects

The ambassador acknowledged that uncertainty surrounding the potential closure had already produced tangible consequences, including a decline in visa applications as some applicants assumed the embassy was preparing to shut down.

One of the main objectives of announcing the postponement, he explained, was to reassure the public that the embassy remains fully operational and is not functioning in a transitional or caretaker capacity.

Cultural Diplomacy and Tourism Cooperation Continue

Cultural engagement will remain a central pillar of bilateral relations. As a founding member of the Francophonie, Belgium will continue organizing Francophonie-related cultural activities in Kuwait while expanding people-to-people exchanges.

Efforts are also ongoing to promote Belgium as a tourism destination for Kuwaiti travelers. Ambassador Dooms said discussions are underway with Belgian airport authorities and aviation stakeholders to enhance connectivity and explore the possibility of establishing direct flights between Kuwait and Brussels.

A ‘Wake-Up Call’ for Bilateral Relations

Dooms acknowledged that the economic performance of bilateral relations played a role in raising the closure option, noting that denying this would be unrealistic. However, he stressed that significant untapped potential remains and can be gradually developed without constant comparisons to larger regional economies.

He described the situation as a “wake-up call” for both countries to elevate cooperation at the political, economic, and cultural levels.

The ambassador also revealed efforts to arrange high-level visits, potentially involving Belgium’s foreign minister or prime minister, to strengthen direct political engagement amid Kuwait’s active diplomatic landscape.

Future Scenario Still Under Review

Regarding contingency plans should closure eventually be approved, Dooms explained that Kuwait’s diplomatic affairs would have been transferred to the Belgian embassy in Riyadh. However, he emphasized that this scenario remains purely hypothetical pending the 2027 review.

Concluding, the ambassador reaffirmed his sincere hope that Belgium’s embassy in Kuwait will remain open, describing the current review period as an opportunity to reinvigorate bilateral relations and demonstrate the continued importance of diplomatic representation between the two nations.