Darya Safai elected as Belgian delegation leader to NATO Parliamentary Assembly

MP Darya Safai has been elected as the new leader of the Belgian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), succeeding her party colleague Theo Francken, who recently became Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly brings together legislators from the 32 NATO member states to strengthen transatlantic cooperation and security. It plays a key role in overseeing NATO’s activities and publishes annual reports on the alliance’s most pressing security challenges.

Belgium’s key role in NATO

Darya Safai emphasized Belgium’s unique relationship with NATO: “Belgium hosts both NATO’s political headquarters in Evere and its military headquarters in Mons. With Theo Francken now serving as Minister, we are taking a significant step in reinforcing our commitment to NATO and shedding our reputation as a ‘freerider.’”

Safai has been an MP for the N-VA since 2019 and has made a strong mark on issues such as defense, human rights, and international relations. Born in Iran, she grew up under the Islamic Republic’s regime. In 1999, as a final-year dentistry student at the University of Tehran, she took part in protests against the religious government. After being arrested and held in solitary confinement, she was released on bail and fled to Belgium, where she resumed her studies and later established several dental practices.

A determined response

Safai reacted to her appointment with firm resolve: “It is an honor to defend NATO’s central role in a world where the axis of evil is working together to undermine our security. You can count on me to stand up for our democratic values and protect our civilization against these threats.”

With her election, the N-VA continues its strong representation within the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, reaffirming its commitment to international security and defense cooperation.