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United States Embassy Brussels Belgium EmbassyU.S. Citizen ServicesVisas to the U.S.U.S. Policy & IssuesU.S. InformationTrade & CommerceNederlands | Français Highlights From Explorer Ships to Partnerships: A Celebration of 175 Years of U.S.-Belgian Relations Tuesday, April 08, the United States and Belgium celebrated the 175th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Washington and Brussels, underlining what was bringing the two countries close to one another, such as a common history and shared values. ‘We share values with Belgium, including freedom when the latter is being threatened,’ U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Sam Fox underlined during a ceremony at the Palais des Academies in Brussels. Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht pleaded in his speech for ‘a strong transatlantic relationship’ while at the same time insisting on the importance of a strong EU with ‘an integrated defense.’ "An Invisible Bridge", a 20 minute movie depicting the longstanding US - Belgian relationship was shown and the ceremony ended with a surprising interpretation of the Belgian and American national anthems on the harmonica by Toots Thielemans, in the presence of numerous Belgian and American personalities living in Belgium.” Photos by Filip Van Loock Latest Headlines President George W. Bush and Pope Benedict XVI pause along the White House Colonnade to look at the Rose Garden on their way for a meeting in the Oval Office Wednesday, April 16, 2008, following the Pope s welcoming ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg President Bush Welcomes His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to White House PRESIDENT BUSH: Holy Father, Laura and I are privileged to have you here at the White House. We welcome you with the ancient words commended by Saint Augustine: "Pax Tecum." Peace be with you. You ve chosen to visit America on your birthday. Well, birthdays are traditionally s...