Why Brussels is both the headquarters of the European Union and the headquarters of NATO

In my humble opinion, first of all, there is no direct conflict of interest between the EU and NATO, and there is a close relationship.

Secondly, Brussels is located in Belgium, which is a founding member of NATO and a member of the European Union.

Again, think of Switzerland, which is the headquarters of the United Nations because it is a country that poses no threat to any country.

It is conceivable that if London or Paris or Berlin were to become headquarters, it would cause many countries to have concerns and a sense of crisis.

Under normal circumstances, the outcome of multinational consultations is generally to choose a weak country that is not a big problem to the country, the so-called "third country".

World ** Organization.

Abbreviation: WTO, headquartered: Geneva, Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Leman, main role: responsible for the management of the world economy and order.

International Olympic Committee.

Abbreviation: Olympic Committee, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, main role: to lead the international Olympic Games and decide on related issues.

European Union abbreviation: EU, headquartered: Brussels, Belgium.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, abbreviated as NATO, is headquartered in Brussels, and its main role is regional defense.

OPEC.

Abbreviation: OPEC, headquartered in Vienna, main role: to deal with Occidental Petroleum companies and maintain oil revenues.

Because Belgium is a neutral country, and all or most of the members of the two organizations are in Europe, Belgium was chosen.

<> 1951, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg signed the European Coal and Steel Pooling Treaty, which began the process of European economic union. The coordination and administration structure of the Treaty is based in Luxembourg.

On March 25, 1957, the six countries signed the Treaty of Rome, which decided to establish the European Economic Community (EEC) with an administrative structure in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

Brussels and Luxembourg are in a modest position among the six countries mentioned above, and they can avoid the suspicion of being manipulated by the great powers.

1. Geographically, Belgium is in the heart of Europe. After the Second World War, the Europeans decided to eliminate once and for all the prospect of another war in Europe through integration, and they felt that Belgium's central role should be further developed, so they placed Belgium as the engine of European integration. Belgium is one of the earliest promoters and practitioners of European integration, and is the most committed member.

2. In terms of population and area, Belgium is a small country with a population of more than 10 million and a land area of more than 30,000 square kilometers. If the headquarters of the EU were in France or Germany, then the European countries would have doubts about whether France or Germany would control the EU, but if the EU headquarters were in Belgium, which is only 30,000 square kilometers, there would be no such doubts. It is simply impossible for Belgium to control the EU.

This is the same reason that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is headquartered in Manila, Philippines, instead of Tokyo or Beijing.

3. Although the EU headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium, not all EU institutions are located in Brussels. For example, the Secretariat of the European Parliament, the European Court of Justice, the European Statistical Office, the European Court of Auditors, the European Investment Bank and other important institutions are located in Luxembourg; Europe** banks are headquartered in Frankfurt, the German financial center.

4. The predecessor of the European Union was the European Community established by the Comic people in 1957, and it was when the Iron Curtain of the Cold War was opened. With West Germany to the east, Britain to the west, and France to the south, Belgium is a very safe European center. It would also make sense to place the capital of the European Community in Belgium.

Belgium is one of the initiators of the European Union, and Brussels is relatively close to several EU countries, plus Belgium is a small country in Europe, and the EU is located in Belgium, and there is no risk of being controlled, so in the end, EU member states will set up the headquarters of the EU in Brussels, Belgium.

In 1948, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg decided to establish a common market among themselves in order to avoid being bullied like in World War IIThis common market was the earliest prototype of what is now the European Union, but because the influence of the three countries is too small to promote "European integration", they also want to involve the big powers.

At that time, World War II had just ended, and the world pattern was in the hands of the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, and the countries of the world were either the camp of the United States or the camp of the Soviet Union, and France, West Germany, and Italy, as the great powers of Europe, had no say in the international community, and in order to be able to compete with the United States and the Soviet Union, they also had plans to establish an allianceSo when the three Low Countries offered them an olive branch, they hit it off and established the European Coal and Steel Community on the basis of a common market, the predecessor of today's European Union.

If the alliance is selected, it is not conducive to the unity of the member states, first of all, the big countries can avoid mutual competition, and the small countries will also be suspicious, the alliance has the risk and suspicion of being manipulated by the big countries, so it can only be selected in one of the three small countries that initiated first, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

The terrain in the Netherlands is too low and there is a danger of being attacked, and Luxembourg is too small a countryOnly Belgium is the most suitable, and Brussels is located on the main traffic route of Western Europe, and is relatively close to several other countries except ItalyTherefore, France, Germany, Italy, the Benelux and Ryan countries unanimously proposed that the European Coal and Steel Community should be headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

Because this geographical location is relatively good and the risk is relatively small, it is set up here.

Because Belgium is one of the initiators of the European Union, and then its geographical location is very good.

Because Brussels, both geographically and economically, is very suitable for the establishment of headquarters.

I think the main reason why it's based in Brussels is that the capacity is really good, and the economy is pretty good.

Belgium is one of the initiators of the European Union, so it is understandable that it is located here.

The per capita is inferior to Frankfurt, Germany, which is a financial center and economic center, the capital and the largest city, a rich city and a rich city.

Brussels is the heart of Europe. There are more than 40 countries in Europe, all of which have different charms in different countries and cities.

The main reason is that the capacity there is very good, and the economy is very good.

The headquarters of the European Union (EU) is located in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, which is also known as the "Capital of Europe". The headquarters of the European Union has contributed greatly to the economic development of Brussels, and Belgians say that "Brussels' prosperity is the result of the existence of Europe".

However, in the previous article "Why is the headquarters of the European Union, known as the "capital of Europe", located in Brussels, Belgium? mentions: Belgium** had strongly opposed the EU headquarters in Brussels. So why is Belgium opposed to the EU having its headquarters in Brussels?

Due to historical reasons, the Dutch-speaking region in the north of Belgium and the French-speaking region in the south are in serious contradiction, and they are still the most difficult social problems in Belgium. And in the process of the formation of the European Community (the predecessor of the European Union), the contradictions between the north and the south of Belgium erupted around the Belgian king.

King Leopold III of Belgium was detained by the Nazis for working with the Nazis during World War II and switching to the Allies before the Normandy landings. During the Nazi captivity of Leopold III, the Belgians elected King Charles**, the younger brother of Leopold III.

Leopold III was rescued by American troops in 1945, but he went into seclusion in Switzerland because of the opposition of the Belgians, Prince Charles** King until 1950. In 1950, Belgium held a referendum to decide whether to allow Leopold III to return to his country as king.

Most of the residents of the Dutch-speaking community voted in favor of Leopold III's return to China, while the majority of the people of the French-speaking community were opposed, especially the French-speaking cities of Liège and Hainaut. Leopold III eventually won the referendum by a margin of 58 to 42 and returned to remain king.

However, the French-speaking community was reluctant to accept the referendum results, and mass demonstrations broke out in Liège against the return of Leopold III. The demonstrations in Liège soon developed into mass riots, with voices advocating the independence of the French-speaking Territory from Belgium, leading to a forceful suppression by Belgium.

However, the weak Belgium** could not suppress the Liege demonstrations by force for a long time, so they wanted the headquarters of the European Community to be located in Liege, so as to use France, West Germany, Italy and other European powers to suppress the Liege demonstrations. Therefore, Belgium** strongly opposes the establishment of the European Community headquarters in Brussels.

However, the conditions in Liège are indeed not suitable for the location of the headquarters of the European Community, and the European powers have also seen the "fox and tiger" heart of Belgium. After some squabbling and bargaining, the headquarters of the European Community was finally set up in Brussels.

As we all know, the European Union (referred to as "the EU") is one of the most influential groups of countries in the world today, and some people even believe that the EU will become a "pole" of the world in the future. The traditional powers of France, Germany, Britain (disputed), Italy, and the Netherlands are all members of the European Union.

Curiously, the headquarters of the European Union, known as the "capital of Europe", is located in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Belgium has always been a "soy sauce" country in Europe, and in the early years it was part of the Netherlands. Why, then, is the EU headquartered in Brussels?

After the Second World War, the European powers, which had declined dramatically, had to cede world dominance to the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. However, the European powers did not want to sink from here, and some people of insight realized that only by uniting the European countries could they contend with the polar rivalry of the United States and the Soviet Union.

As a result, the idea of "European integration" emerged and developed rapidly after World War II, and almost all European countries were affected. In 1948, a common market was established between the three Low Countries (the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg), which was the earliest prototype of today's European Union.

But the three Low Countries with too little influence are not enough to promote "European integration", and the big powers must be brought on board. In 1951, France, West Germany, Italy and the three Low Countries established the European Coal and Steel Community on the basis of the Common Market of the Low Countries, the predecessor of today's European Union.

At that time, France, West Germany, and Italy did not want the headquarters of the European Coal and Steel Community to be located in the major European countries, and the only candidate countries were the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The Netherlands, where the terrain is too low, is in danger of being attacked, and Luxembourg is too small.

In addition, Belgium is a pioneer of "European integration", and Brussels is located on the transportation artery of Western Europe, so France, Germany, Italy, the Benelux and Ruff countries proposed that the headquarters of the European Coal and Steel Community be located in Brussels. But at that time, Belgium** opposed the EU headquarters in Brussels.

In 1957, France, Germany, Italy, and Benelux established the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, and the "trinity" of the European Community (EU) was established. However, the location of the EC headquarters has not yet been determined, and Belgium is still reluctant to locate it in Brussels.

As a result, the six countries decided that the EC presidency would rotate among the individual Member States in alphabetical order, and that the headquarters would also rotate with the presidency. Belgium (Belgi, Belgique, Belgien) has the initials "B" and has become the first chair of the European Community.

In accordance with the rotation of headquarters with the Presidency, the headquarters of the European Community is located in Brussels. As a result, after the headquarters of the European Community was established in Brussels, the other member states of the European Community forgot about the "rotation of headquarters with the presidency", and the headquarters of the European Community was fixed in Brussels.

Frankfurt is the largest city in Germany and the richest city in Germany, the largest financial center in Germany and the largest economic center in Germany.

Because Belgium is the patriarch of the European UnionIn the beginning, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, three relatively weak countries, came together to counter the infiltration of American power in Western EuropeThe establishment of the European Community was also made possible by the Belgian Foreign Minister, Jean Rhy。So Belgium is one of the oldest countries in the European Union. In addition, Belgium is relatively weak, and there is no need to worry that it will control the European Union.

The establishment of the European Union has its historical background. At that time, the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union's "steel torrent" brought a huge threat of force, and the soft threat brought by the "Marshall Plan" of the United States should not be underestimated. The countries of Western Europe did not want to become a tool for the United States and the Soviet Union to compete for hegemony, but they were powerless to confront any of them on their own, so the idea of "European unity" was born.

As mentioned at the beginning, Belgium and other three countries at the bottom of the group took the lead, and then France, the Federal Republic of Germany, and Italy joined in to form the European Community. In these six countries, both the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy were fascist states, the defeated countries of World War II, which brought disaster to the other four countries, in addition, they were also worried about the resurgence of fascism, and they were wary of Germany and Italy, and it was impossible to set their headquarters there. France was the largest country in size, and the leader at the time, Charles de Gaulle, believed that France should become the leader of Europe, and tried to win the headquarters.

But the other five countries, fearing that de Gaulle would control them through the EU, rejected France's request. Of the remaining three countries, the Netherlands was most threatened by the Soviet Union and excluded; Luxembourg is too small to be excluded. As a result, Belgium, which was weak in national strength, small in size, far away from the Soviet Union, and contributed to the establishment of the European Community, became the headquarters location.

Until the European Community was transformed into the European Union, the headquarters remained unchanged.