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
Gustave Fourreau - Major) on July 1, 1959. He was assigned to the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion 13 DBLE on four different occasional tours. The first assignment was at Bougie on July 22, 1960, on August 10, 1960, on November 3, 1960, then on November 17, 1961. He was then nominated to the 1st Mounted Chasseur Groupment () at Reims. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-colonel, on October 1, 1964. In October, he was nominated to the Command of the general staff headquarters of Supreme Allied Armed Forces () in Europe, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe SHAPE.