“We maintain a constant international position,” spokesman for Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib explained on Monday. “We remain in favor of respect for international law and any initiative that can contribute to it. Asking the opinion of a court of justice fits perfectly within that framework.”
Belgium is one of the few countries within the European Union to support the resolution. Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Slovenia also pressed the green button. Germany and Italy voted against, while France and the Netherlands abstained, as did the Northern European countries, Switzerland and Spain.
Outside the EU, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia voted against. Brazil, India and Japan remained neutral, while Russia, China and Turkey voted in favor of the text.