UK's new ambassador to Belgium looks to the future

Alison Rose, Britain's new ambassador to Belgium (pictured), says one of her key tasks is to promote jobs and growth. She also wants to "work closely" with Belgian companies to promote the UK’s reputation as a "place to do business".

Appointed in August as successor to Jonathan Brenton, Rose is an EU specialist and has worked for the UK foreign office in Paris, London and Brussels, and for the Cabinet Office during the UK’s 2005 EU Presidency.

Her arrival in Brussels comes at a delicate time in relations between the UK and the EU.

In an interview she said: "My job here is to represent the UK and promote relations between our two countries. I have four main priorities:

- Promote the prosperity of the UK by seeking to increase trade between Belgium and the UK and promote the UK as an investment location. Belgium is the UK’s sixth biggest export market.

- work with Belgium to improve international security – on issues ranging from helping tackle Ebola to countering the threat from ISIL;

- support British nationals in Belgium with a focus on those in the most vulnerable situations, and;

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- promote reform of the European Union to help us be better equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.

 

"Our annual Belgo-British Conference taking place in Brussels at the end of this month will help get the discussion going. It is on creation and business."

 

Rose added:" I find the general political landscape in Belgium most fascinating. I am glad to have presented my credentials just as a new federal government has been sworn in."

 

She went on: "I look forward to getting to know and working alongside Prime Minister, Charles Michel, and his ministerial team, and with the regional and community governments and their ministerial teams on a range of issues of mutual interest to both the UK and Belgium.

 

"Belgium’s system has developed over time to meet the particular needs of this country. One of my jobs as ambassador is to explain how Belgium operates to my colleagues in the UK. I certainly think we should take the time to look at different systems and reflect on how our own structure works.

 

"But I think we need to recognise from the outset that one size doesn’t fit all, and we need to take account of each country’s individual situation."

 

Looking to the future, she said: "I had the pleasure of living in Belgium from 1999- 2003 when I was posted to the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, leading on EU regional economic development policy and health and cultural policy.

 

"I am delighted to be back and always say that I find Belgium is one of Europe’s best kept secrets."

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