Belgium's Foreign Minister Slams France Over Taxes

Says the neighboring country's policies push successful people to flee

BELGIUM'S foreign minister says France is solely to blame after its top actor, Gerard Depardieu, threatened to give up his passport following a move to seek tax exile in the neighbouring country.

Didier Reynders says his country must not be made a "scapegoat" for Depardieu's move, which the French prime minister suggested was an unpatriotic act.

"There have been no measures taken by Belgium to attract any French national," Reynders told RTL radio.

"There has been an evolution in the French tax system which may have had consequences."

"One must look at things for which citizens are leaving their own country, even if these are tax reasons," he added.