Sept. 11, 2024, Brussels | “More than ever, more than last year, there is work to be done.” With this, Arthur van Dijk, HNP chairman, underlined that in the new political reality of the EU, it is very important to continue to seek and intensify cooperation in border areas, rather than closing borders. This was the conclusion of the joint event of the House of the Dutch Provinces (HNP) and the Institute for Transnational and Euregional Cross-border Cooperation and Mobility (ITEM).
Germany is closing the borders?
The event kicked off with a discussion of the tendency to re-establish internal borders within the EU, both figuratively and literally, often under the guise of security and the threat of terrorism. Germany’s recent decision to introduce border controls and the Dutch cabinet’s interest in doing the same was not well received. Arthur van Dijk, chairman of the HNP and Commissioner of the King, stated, “If you look at Germany right now, where they are reintroducing passport controls at the border, those are two steps back instead of two steps forward.”
So how do we ensure a secure and strong EU, without compromising border regions? According to Frans Weekers, secretary general of the Benelux Union, there are certainly alternatives: ” Use “flying squads” and focus only on those areas prone to crime, terrorism or other threats. Indeed, reintroducing border controls will hamper our logistics and our economy and cause people and businesses to be worse off in the future. I cannot imagine politicians in our capitals wanting to achieve such bad results. “
Region versus border region
The results of various elections in Europe show that there is more attention to the regions. However, this does not yet translate into more attention to border regions, as Germany’s decision shows. Developments where (internal) borders are used as an instrument, despite the negative consequences for people in border regions, emphasize the importance of ITEM to continue to interpret the importance of border regions. Prof. Dr. Anouk Bollen-Vandenboorn, ITEM director, warns: We have to be careful about that because it affects the border regions. If you only look at the border as an instrument, you neglect the border regions themselves .” Martin Unfried, researcher at ITEM, continues: “There is a need to guard internal borders. Our research has shown that this is more of a symbolic political backdrop, but not proportional or effective.”
The role of the EU
Nevertheless, it is worrying that from 2027 there may be insufficient attention and structural instruments available at the European Commission for cross-border cooperation, especially at Europe’s internal borders. It remains to be seen, for example, whether the new cohesion policy will build in space for border regions. The question is how to get this topic better on the agenda and who should take the lead in this.
Karl-Heinz Lambert, former president of the German-speaking Parliament in Belgium, explains: “In practice, regions are not currently powerful enough within European policies. It is fundamental that European policies take into account the reality on the ground .” Pim Mertens, researcher at ITEM, continues: “The European toolbox cannot solve the current obstacles and has no legal mandate. After 2027, everything is open and there are many challenges, such as the current political climate .”
Erwin Hoogland, deputy in the province of Overijssel, nuances this: “I’m still quite optimistic,” but adds, “I really hope we continue on the path we’ve taken to improve cooperation between the regions.” It would not be wise to scale back now.
Resources and instruments
So what should the EU do from 2027 for a strong border region? The answer lies with both resources, and instruments. Dirk Gotink, Member of the European Parliament (NSC), hooks up: ” I In the European budget, only a very small amount is set aside for border regions. Right now we are renationalizing our investments. But the European added value is in those regions. That’s why every European euro should be invested in border regions!”
In addition to financial resources, the emphasis is on promoting cross-border cooperation. The recently launched Flanders-Netherlands Border Barriers Switch Point is seen as a good example here. Carina van Cauter, governor of East Flanders, agrees: “Willingness to cooperate is just as important as financial support,” referring to the Switch Point. “The ports of Ghent and Zeeland have a nice collaboration in which the will to work together is the reason for the success.”
EU instruments to encourage such projects are in the works. In late 2023, for example, the Commission proposed a mechanism to remove obstacles in a cross-border context, after a previous attempt failed in 2018. Raquel García Hermida-Van der Walle, MEP (D66), wonders why it is taking so long to approve the mechanism: ” The cross-border cooperation mechanism should be implemented as soon as possible. The European Commission has already found that it would not only reduce legal and administrative barriers, but also grow GDP by 2% in border regions. “
Conclusions
The closing reiterates the importance of cooperation between (border) regions and the use of existing and new instruments. Van Dijk: ” Dialogue is necessary. We need to focus on the long term. Europe needs a political agenda that focuses not on the what, but on the how. The solutions are there, but we need politicians to take the necessary steps. ” Bollen agrees: “My eyes are on the MEPs who are here today. Are they willing to listen to border regions and take action? They can put border regions on the political agenda. Political willingness is essential”!
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