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
National Territorial Commanders Committee commanders and representatives from more than 20 allied and partner nations. The NTCC is staffed with observers from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe(SHAPE), the European Union(EU) military staff and the United States European Command (EUCOM). The organization seeks to improve host nation cooperation and enhance NTCC member capabilities to responsively meet allied and partner sending nation support requirements for exercises, contingencies or operations. The NTCC mission is to streamline host nation support (HNS) coordination between member nations. The organization's vision is to be the leading multinational network for host nation support. Through information sharing and