“Belgium: Old Transatlantic friend at the heart of a challenged European Union”

William De Baets, Ir., has served as the Consulate General of Belgium, Atlanta, from April 2016 to present.  Since entering diplomatic service in 2000 and prior to his appointment in Atlanta, he was a Counselor at the Embassy of Belgium to the USA in Washington, DC, the Director of the Crisis Centre MFA & B-FAST Secretariat, Brussels, and the Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of Belgium to Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, the Embassy of Belgium to Venezuela, Caracas, and the Embassy of Belgium to Cote d'Ivoire, Abidjan.

Before his diplomatic career, De Baets served in the Belgian Navy with a career that culminated as the Deputy Director ICT for the Belgian Navy General Staff.

De Baets received as Masters in Information Technology and Bachelors in Management/Foreign Affairs.  He received advanced training at the Belgian Royal Military Academy, Marine nationale  francaise and the Royal Dutch Navy.

INTRODUCTION: Firooz Israel