Belgium to React Strongly if Claims of German Spying for NSA Confirmed

Belgium will react strongly if allegations that German intelligence agencies spied on the country’s companies and government bodies at the request of the US National Security Service (NSA) are confirmed, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said Tuesday.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – On Monday, the Belgian federal prosecutor's office confirmed that it has launched an investigation following reports that Germany’s BND carried out a widespread US-inspired wiretapping program in Belgium and other European nations.

"These [Germany and the United States] are friendly countries, allies. The question of trust is an important issue and if it so happens that the facts are proven, the government will take very tough initiatives on the matter," Michel said.

Last month, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said that Germany would "have some explaining to do" if the reports about spying in Belgium are proven correct.

In April, German media uncovered internal intelligence investigation documents, which appeared to indicate that BND had been spying on high-ranking European officials and defense companies on behalf of the the NSA.

Last year, Germany opened an inquiry into claims that the NSA eavesdropped on German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s mobile phone, a revelation that brought a chill to German-US relations.