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NEWS & PUBLICATIONSBelgium Today October 2011UNITED STATES AND BELGIUM SIGN AGREEMENT TO COMBAT SERIOUS CRIME On September 20, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder joined Belgian Minister of Justice Stefaan De Clerck and Minister of Interior Annemie Turtelboom at the Egmont Palace in Brussels to sign an agreement on Preventing and Combating Serious Crime (PCSC). The accord will allow for the exchange of biometric and biographic data of suspected criminals between the United States and Belgium to bolster counterterrorism and law enforcement efforts while protecting individual privacy. Under the agreement, Belgium and the United States will leverage state-of-the-art technology to share law enforcement data, including fingerprints, to better identify known terrorists and criminals during investigations and other law enforcement activities. The agreement authorizes the use of specific mechanisms for sharing vital information to help prevent serious threats to public security, and requires measures to ensure the protection and privacy of citizens in both countries. In fact, the PCSC contains numerous provisions pertaining to the handling, sharing, and retention of relevant data, all designed to ensure privacy and data protection. Belgium is the 20th country with which the United States has signed an agreement to prevent and combat serious crime. Among the other international partners who have concluded similar agreements with the United States are Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Spain, Estonia, Greece and South Korea. These agreements prevent individuals who commit serious crimes in one signatory country from continuing illicit acts in another. PRESIDENT CARTER HONORED BY BELGIUM
The Prime Minister lauded President Carter for being "a fighter for peace, and successfully so, not only during his presidency but long afterwards." The Prime Minister cited examples both during and after the Carter presidency. He talked about the success of President Carter in brokering a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt that still stands as a model today, and talked at length about several successes of the Carter Center. This Center was founded by the President and his wife Rosalynn in order to advance peace and health worldwide. The Belgian government supports the Carter Center in this endeavor, resulting in an excellent cooperation between both in countries such as Nepal, Tunisia and Congo. Prime Minister Leterme offered the decoration "In the name of the countless people who benefit from the Carter Center’s support.” PASTRANA TAPESTRIES ON VIEW AT NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
At the opening reception, Yvan Maes DeWit, Managing Director of the Royal Manufacturers DeWit which undertook the restoration of the tapestries, commented that "their installation at the National Gallery is the best I've ever seen." The tapestries will be in Washington through January 8. EMBASSY'S POLICE LIAISON OFFICER RECEIVES INTERPOL AWARD
Examples of this cooperation are multifold. Through different MOU’s, the exchange of information between Belgian and U.S. police forces was greatly enhanced, and several high level meetings between Belgian and American police officers and officials took place in the last year. Patrick Stevens is also active as chairman of the International Law Enforcement Association (ILEA), board member of the Liaison Officers Association (LOA) and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP/International Division). Patrick Stevens considers this award to be "an award not just for myself but for the entire Belgian police force. It is thanks to teamwork that the cooperation with our American colleagues is so successful."
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In recognition of his numerous and excellent efforts in peace-making, fighting disease and building
hope, President Jimmy Carter has been awarded the Belgian Grand Cross in the Order of the Crown. Bestowed
by King Albert II, the decoration was presented to the former president by Prime Minister Yves Leterme in
an October 4th ceremony at the Egmont Palace in Brussels. 
The Pastrana Tapestries -- four monumental works of art on loan from the Collegiate Church of Our Lady
of the Assumption in Pastrana, Spain -- are among the finest Gothic tapestries in existence. Exquisitely
rendered in wool and silk thread by 15th century Flemish weavers in Tournai, Belgium, the weavings teem
with colorful images of knights, ships and military paraphernalia set against backdrops of maritime and
urban landscapes. 
On September 16 Police Liaison Officer Patrick Stevens of the Embassy of Belgium (at right in picture)
was given an award by the U.S. National Central Bureau of Interpol. At the ceremony, Interpol Washington
Director Timothy A. Williams said that Mr. Stevens received the distinction "in acknowledgment of his
outstanding work during his tenure at the Belgian Embassy. He has made notable contributions to supporting
our national as well as international law enforcement agencies."|
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