Editing Foreign relations of Belgium (section)

==Initial neutrality==
Because of its location at the crossroads of [[Western Europe]], Belgium has historically been the route of invading armies from its larger neighbours. With virtually defenceless borders, Belgium has traditionally sought to avoid domination by the more powerful nations which surround it through a policy of mediation. The [[Concert of Europe]] sanctioned the creation of [[Belgium]] in 1831 on the condition that the country remain strictly [[Neutral country|neutral]].

This policy of neutrality ended after the experience of German occupation during [[World War I]]. In the years preceding [[World War II]], Belgium tried to return to a policy of neutrality, but once again, Germany invaded the country. In 1948, Belgium signed the [[Treaty of Brussels 1948|Treaty of Brussels]] with the [[United Kingdom]], [[France]], the [[Netherlands]], and [[Luxembourg]], and one year later became one of the founding members of the [[Atlantic Alliance]].