PRESS RELEASE
Cross-border cooperation in a new political reality: what is the future perspective for border regions after the European elections?
11 September 2024, Brussels | “More than ever, more than last year, there is work to be done.” With this, Arthur van Dijk, HNP President, underlined that in the new political reality of the European Union, it is crucial to continuously seek and intensify cooperation in border areas, instead of closing htem. This was the conclusion of the joint event of the House of Dutch Provinces (HNP) and the Institute for Transnational and Euregional Cross-border Cooperation and Mobility (ITEM).
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Germany closes borders?
The event kicked off with a discussion about 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 government’s interest in doing the same, was not well received. Arthur van Dijk, President of the HNP and King’s Commissioner, stated: “When you look at Germany at the moment, where they are re-introducing passport controls at the border, I think that is two steps back instead of two steps ahead.”
How do we ensure a secure and strong EU, without compromising border regions? According to Frans Weekers, Secretary-General of the Benelux Union Secretary-General, there are certainly alternatives: “Make use of flying squads and target only those areas that are sensitive to criminality, terrorism or other threats. Because re-introducing border controls will hamper our logistics and economy and make people and businesses worse off in the future. I cannot imagine that politicians in our capitals would like to achieve such bad results”.
Region versus border region
The results of several elections in Europe have showed an increased focus on regions. However, this does not yet translate into more attention to border regions specifically, as Germany’s decision shows. Developments where (internal) borders are used as a tool, despite the negative consequences for people in border regions, highlight the importance of ITEM to continue to signify the importance of border regions. Prof Anouk Bollen-Vandenboorn, ITEM director, cautions: “We have to be careful with that as it affects border regions. If you only look at the border like that, as an instrument, you neglect the border regions themselves”. Martin Unfried, researcher at ITEM, continues: “There is a desire to control the internal border. Our research has found that this is more of a symbolic political scenery, but not proportional nor effective.”
The role of the EU
Still, it is worrying that, from 2027 on, there may be insufficient attention and structural instruments available at the European Commission for cross-border cooperation, especially for Europe’s internal borders. For instance, it remains to be seen whether the new cohesion policy will allow any 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 the reality of European policy, regions are not powerful enough at the moment. It is fundamental that the reality on the ground is taken into account by European policy.” Pim Mertens, researcher at ITEM, continues: “The European toolbox cannot solve current obstacles and doesn’t have the legal mandate. Post 2027, everything will be open and there are many challenges, like with the current political climate.”
Erwin Hoogland, deputy in the province of Overijssel, nuances this: “I am still quite optimistic,” but adds, “I really hope that we continue on the road we are on, to make cooperation between the regions better.”
Resources and instruments
So what should the EU do from 2027 on for a strong border region? The answer lies with both resources and instruments. Dirk Gotink, Member of the European Parliament (NSC), comments: “In the European budget only a very small amount is reserved for border regions. At the moment we’re renationalizing our investments. But the value of Europe is added in those regions. That why every European euro should be invested in border regions!”
Besides financial resources, the focus is on promoting cross-border cooperation. The recently launched Coordination Point Border Obstacles Flanders – Netherlands is seen as a good example in this respect. Carina van Cauter, governor of East Flanders, agreed: “The willingness of cooperation is as important as financial support”, referring to the Coordination Point. “The ports of Ghent and Zeeland have a beautiful cooperation in which the willingness of working together is the reason for its success.”
EU instruments to encourage such projects are in the pipeline. In late 2023, for instance, the Commission proposed a mechanism to remove barriers in a cross-border context, after a previous attempt failed in 2018. Raquel García Hermida-Van der Walle, Member of the European Parliament (D66), wonders why it is taking so long to adopt the mechanism: “The cross border cooperation mechanism needs to be applied as fast as possible. Not only did the European Commission already determine that it would reduce the legislative and administrative barriers, but it would make the GDP in border regions grow by 2%.”
Conclusions
The conclusion reiterates the importance of cooperation between (border) regions and the use of existing and new instruments. Van Dijk: “The dialogue is necessary. We need to focus on the long term. Europe needs a political agenda that is not focused on the what, but on the how. The solutions are there, but we need politicians that take the steps necessary.” Bollen agrees: “My eyes are at the MEP’s present here today. Are they prepared to listen to the border regions and take action? They can put border regions on the political agenda. Political willingness is essential!”
Would you like to know more? Today’s outcomes will also feed into the ITEM Annual Conference on 22 November in Ghent. Register now!
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