Revision of foreign policy on Saudi Arabia: preferably both strict and useful

The N-VA is requesting a strict approach in our foreign policy as regards human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. “At the same time, we must look for a way to convert our disagreement in the matter into useful tools that improve the situation in the country itself,” the party says. “And that’s unfortunately easier said than done. Indeed, we need to be careful that we don’t impose counter-productive requirements.”

During the discussion in the Chamber of a resolution to revise our foreign policy with regard to Saudi Arabia, the N-VA regretted the division between the various federated states in this dossier. “The fact that arms exports are a regional competence undoubtedly plays a major role in this regard,” the party noted.

Division between federated entities

Only Flanders responded positively to the question of the Chamber for advice. “It is no surprise that the Walloon Parliament refuses to speak up in the matter, given the significant sales of arms produced in Wallonia to Saudi Arabia,” the N-VA says. The contrast with Flanders could hardly be greater. The Flemish Parliament conducted a broad debate and was the only body to approve a resolution in which it expressly condemns the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia. “Society there is explicitly based on a Wahhabi interpretation of Islam. So the chasm with our basic rights is therefore extremely large, and these days almost unbridgeable,” the N-VA says.

“The Regions can support foreign trade actively - or not - as they see fit,” the party continues. “In this respect, we stand behind the decision of Flemish Minister-President Geert Bourgeois to no longer organise Flemish trade missions to Saudi Arabia, and we ask the federal government to adopt the same attitude.”

Corporate social responsibility

Our companies play a key role in the Flemish resolution. “The existence of trade relations may after all not be a reason to ignore violations of human rights in a particular country,” the N-VA believes. “We therefore support that resolution, which states that companies may be expected to act within the framework of corporate social responsibility.”

Trade boycott not an option

“A general trade boycott against Saudi Arabia would be counter-productive and would isolate us on the international stage,” the N-VA fears. “We would therefore have to break off our economic relations with all other countries where human rights are violated. If we want to continue to have any positive impact on the situation there it makes no sense to break off all ties with Saudi Arabia - on the contrary, we have to leverage all our relations to get a result.”