Belgian officials express "surprise" at U.S. ambassador's criticism of defence spending

The Belgian prime minister and foreign minister have expressed their surprise after the U.S. ambassador to Belgium wrote a newspaper article critical of the country's defence spending, local newspaper De Standaard reported on Friday.

Ambassador Denise Bauer penned an opinion piece in De Standaard on Thursday calling on Belgium to invest more in defence, writing: "Belgium has a strong reputation as a trustworthy NATO ally. However, after two decades of defence cuts, Belgium is now one of the NATO members that spends the lowest percentage of its GNP on defence."

She added: "Given the current uncertain climate with regard to security, it is more important than ever to show a shared sense of involvement when it comes to our common defence."

De Standaard on Friday quoted Prime Minister Charles Michel as saying he found it "strange" that the ambassador chose to use the press to put forward her view.

Foreign Minister Didier Reynders added: "There are other methods that an ambassador can use to contact ministers."

The two senior officials also questioned the timing of the article, which coincides with their official visit to New York.

Reynders told De Standaard: "I have spoken with many American counterparts and they have all expressed their praise for our work in Afghanistan, Iraq and possibly Syria."

Belgian Defence Minister Steven Vandeput is due to present a new strategic defence plan in the coming weeks, the newspaper added. Endit