OMM Redaksiyası
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot has criticized US President Donald Trump’s annual address to the UN General Assembly, saying it focused largely on domestic US politics rather than international issues, Belga news agency reported.
“Trump must have mistaken the meeting, as he mainly delivered a message glorifying his domestic policy,” Prevot told Belga in New York on Tuesday.
He said Trump’s remarks should be viewed in the context of the US midterm elections scheduled for Nov. 3, adding that the president would naturally seek to promote his political vision ahead of the vote.
Disagreements over global issues
Prevot also criticized Trump’s positions on climate change, migration and international judicial institutions dealing with impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“These are all topics on which his worldview is diametrically opposed to ours,” Prevot said.
Speaking to Belgian broadcaster VRT after the address, he emphasized the importance of international law for Belgium.
“We are not a military or financial power. Therefore, the protection of our prosperity depends on international law,” he said.
Prevot added that it was not enough for international rules to exist; they also had to be enforced.
“The great powers must not be both the offenders and the enforcers at the same time,” he said.
Concerns over the UN’s decision-making
Prevot questioned the current strength of the United Nations, particularly its ability to reach decisions through the Security Council.
“At this moment, I am not convinced that the UN is still super strong,” he said, adding that decision-making in the Security Council had become more difficult.
He said the appointment of the next UN secretary-general would therefore be especially important, arguing that the official should be capable of strengthening the organization’s role.
The successor to current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to take office on Jan. 1, 2027.
