Foreign relations of Belgium (WEU). Both NATO (since 1966) and the EU have their headquarters in Brussels; SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) is in the south of the country, near Mons. Since January 1993, the WEU has been headquartered in Brussels. Belgium has been one of the strongest supporters of NATO since the inception of the alliance in 1949. Having suffered through two invasions in two world wars, Belgium was aware of its security needs and the limitations of its means for self-defense. As a result, the leaders of that nation began calling for the formation of a defensive alliance shortly after the
René Morel (Légion étrangère) headquarters of Supreme Allied Armed Forces () in Europe, the SHAPE. After having followed the 5th Session of the Defense NATO College, her served again in Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe SHAPE. In October 1953, he was designated as assistant () to the general Commandant of the subdivision of "Orléansville", then to the general Commandant zone-west "Algéroise" and the 9th Infantry Division (). Designated as Inspector of the Foreign Legion in January 1960, he was admitted to the 1st section of officer generals in the month of May of the same year. In that post, he avoided an attempt by