So recently our governement collapsed after months of discussion between the flemish (dutch) and french speakers.

I won't bore you with all the details, but what's your view on the situation?
If Belgium were to be separated, according to you what would be the impact be on europe .

It would be the first western, wealthy country split. So I do think it's of some importance.

If i were the flemish, i would join the netherlands, just for economic purposes. It would make us a great stronghold =)

I never knew that, very interesting.

Yeah the flemish should join the Netherlands.. then we can claim Jupiler Beer as our own!! together with other great Beers!! & Club Brugge vs PSV/Ajax/Feyenoord would be a fun match to watch!

I don't know if I like the idea of a pan-Dutch Union...

Join France then you could watch club brugge play Paris saint germain, Monaco, Marsielle and other great French clubs like er... um... Lorient.

Also you will be able to legally smoke indoors.

I discussed this last week with a friend who is from the Flemish region of Belgium.

From his summary, your situation is similar to that of Quebec, a province in Canada, where I am from.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Quebec
During Colonial times, this territory went through French and English rule culminating in the final conquest in 1760. Even though the French in the Province did have political sway since the early 1800's, it wasn't until the 1960's, that the French were really given an opportunity to climb the corporate ladder. Actually, they were not so much given, but they took it in what is called a quiet revolution. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiet_Revolution )

Despite being the majority in the Flemish Region, Dutch speakers were not given the same status as French Speakers (Walloons) in government and business. So back in the days when the Walloon region was prosperous due to coal and steel they essentially neglected their duties to spread the wealth with the Flemish.

Now in modern Belgium, after the crash of coal mining in the Walloon region and the upturn of the Flemish economy, the Flemish have been heavily subsidizing the Walloon government which oppressed them for so long.

Since the 1970's you have undergone 5 state reforms to better address the situation Walloons and the Flemish. Since 2007, the government has been working on a 6th reform, but it has failed which has led to the current political uncertainties.

MY view on the situation:
I always hope people can find peaceful solutions to their difference.
In your case, you have not been able to find a good solution despite 5 reforms. I hate to set a precedent for Quebec's separatist movement because it is still relatively strong despite Canada being a very good and accommodating partner with Quebec.
I'd say try another shot at reforms and if that don't work and the whole country agrees to it, then it might be wise to split. To avoid the trouble of having a new state in the EU. It might be appropriate to annexe Walloon to France, the Flemish region to the Netherlands and for the German region to join Germany.

Good luck to you people in finding your path. :)
Bonne chance, mes amis.
goed geluk, mijn vrienden. :) (I had to use an online translator, so it might be grammatically incorrect.)

belgium? never heard of it.

xD I knew it

The situation feels like a mom and a dad fighting whole the time while the children (the population) are suffering from it. Flanders together with The Netherlands is something what a lot of Dutch wants because they don't have to drive trough Belgium anymore when they go to France.