Belgium and Qatar emphasize the importance of openness, dialogue, and international cooperation as key elements in safeguarding global security and prosperity, Belgian Minister of Interior Bernard Quintin said Wednesday during the 2026 Global Security Forum in Doha.
Quintin highlighted the strategic partnership between the two countries, stressing that protecting international connectivity is crucial amid rising geopolitical tensions and transnational security threats. He described Doha as a vital platform for dialogue, particularly when diplomatic engagement has become more challenging on the global stage.
“Qatar’s ability to keep channels of communication open is invaluable. And in today’s international context, it is more necessary than ever,” Quintin stated.
Although Belgium and Qatar differ geographically, the minister drew parallels in their economic and strategic reliance on global openness. Belgium is a major European crossroads anchored by the Port of Antwerp, Brussels Airport, and the locations of key European Union institutions and NATO headquarters, which collectively enhance its international connectivity. Meanwhile, Qatar occupies a strategic position linking East and West, situated in a region critical to both international trade and security.
Quintin acknowledged that this interconnectedness is a strength but also exposes both countries to complex security risks. He pointed to vulnerabilities, including the exploitation of port infrastructure by drug trafficking networks, cyber threats to digital communication platforms, and the use of trade routes by criminal and human trafficking organizations.
“Criminal networks have become adept at exploiting cross-border connections, adapting rapidly and taking advantage of gaps in national security systems,” the minister warned. He added that responses must evolve accordingly, calling for stronger international coordination to counter threats that transcend national borders.
Quintin also underlined the complementary roles of Belgium and Qatar in the international arena. Belgium leverages its ties with the European Union and NATO, while Qatar continues to cultivate strategic partnerships and maintains a recognized role in international mediation efforts. Despite differing international alignments and geographic contexts, both countries share commitments to dialogue, respect for international law, multilateralism, and peaceful dispute resolution.
The minister cautioned against isolationist tendencies in the face of geopolitical instability, asserting that inward-looking policies may increase vulnerability rather than enhance security. He advocated for a balanced approach that maintains openness while strengthening protections, including enhanced intelligence and police cooperation, improved operational coordination, robust critical infrastructure defense, and targeted actions against financial networks supporting organized crime.
Quintin emphasized that bilateral engagement between Belgium and Qatar must yield tangible results in addressing shared security challenges, given both nations’ economic dependence on global trade.
“For both countries, whose prosperity depends significantly on international trade, the freedom and security of navigation also remain essential principles that require continued international cooperation and protection,” he said.
Concluding, the minister stated that no country can effectively address today’s cross-border threats alone. “The real question is not how to protect ourselves from the world, but how to build a safer world together,” Quintin said.