BRUSSELS, Belgium — More than 130 years after establishing formal diplomatic ties, the Dominican Republic and the Kingdom of Belgium have marked a defining milestone in their cross-Atlantic relationship: their first-ever Bilateral Political Consultations Meeting. Held at Brussels’ iconic Egmont Palace, the high-level gathering aligned with a series of cultural and diplomatic events, including the launch of the first Dominican Week across Belgium and the Netherlands, creating a dynamic backdrop for deepening bilateral engagement.
Senior diplomatic and government delegations from both nations converged at the talks, where leaders structured conversations around advancing partnership across a diverse slate of priority sectors. Discussions spanned political coordination, expanded bilateral trade opportunities, sustainable agribusiness development, expanded academic collaboration between higher education institutions, and inclusive economic growth strategies. Beyond bilateral priorities, the two sides also held constructive exchanges on pressing regional and global multilateral issues, reaffirming their shared belief that open dialogue is the foundation for solving cross-border challenges.
Security cooperation emerged as a central focus of the consultations, with both delegations highlighting tangible progress in ongoing negotiations covering three key areas: joint police training and information sharing, maritime security to counter transnational organized crime, and streamlined customs cooperation to facilitate legitimate trade while boosting border security. Participants also spotlighted a landmark agreement already in motion: the memorandum of understanding signed between the Dominican National Police and Belgian Federal Police back in April 2026, which lays the groundwork for direct operational cooperation between the two nations’ law enforcement agencies.
As the consultations drew to a close, official representatives from both the Dominican Republic and Belgium issued statements voicing unanimous satisfaction with the meeting’s outcomes. Both sides reaffirmed their long-term commitment to expanding and strengthening bilateral ties, anchored in shared democratic values, respect for international law, and unwavering support for a rules-based multilateral global order. The landmark meeting sets the stage for more targeted, impactful collaboration between the two nations in the years ahead, turning a decades-long diplomatic relationship into a dynamic modern partnership.