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Theodora Gentzis, Chairwoman of the Management Committee, addresses the guests at the launch of the Belgian Benelux Presidency. © FPS Foreign Affairs
Belgium holds the presidency of the Benelux Union in 2024. To guide its initiatives, our country is choosing to strengthen its relationship with the European Union. Starting this year, a Benelux Day on 5 September will put the spotlight on the actions of the Benelux.
From 1 January to 30 June 2024, Belgium holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union. But did you know that our country also holds the presidency of the Benelux Union in 2024? This union of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg was created as a customs union back on 5 September 1944, and can rightly be considered the forerunner of the EU.
Laboratory within the EU
Today, the Benelux Union focuses mainly on three areas: internal market, sustainable development and security (justice and police). It still plays the role of a laboratory within the EU: if something works in the Benelux, it can also be applied on the scale of the EU.
A good example is the Schengen Agreement that allows free movement of people within 23 of the 27 EU Member States, among others. The Schengen Agreement drew on the experience gained in this regard from the Benelux.
Priorities
Each member state holds the presidency every three years. In 2024, it is Belgium's turn. During its presidency, our country resolutely chooses to strengthen the interaction between the Benelux countries and the EU. It also intends to properly align Benelux's 2025-2028 multi-year plan with the EU's next strategic agenda.
With regard to the internal market, Belgium will pay particular attention to small and medium-sized enterprises, and the digital economy. In addition, our country will strive to reduce the VAT gap. We will also make every effort to finalise a treaty to tackle social security fraud and to safeguard safety at work and decent working conditions.
Higher education diplomas will soon be automatically recognised in the Benelux countries and the Baltic states. The Belgian presidency intends to actively encourage other countries to sign up to this treaty.
Within the domain of sustainable development, our country wants to focus mainly on energy transition (hydrogen network, offshore energy extraction, etc.), the circular economy and adaptation to climate change (electric charging network, sustainable agriculture, etc.).
When it comes to security, the priorities include the fight against organised international crime, the implementation of sanctions and increased cooperation between crisis centres.
Benelux Day
We hear little about the Benelux Union, yet the country union does quite a lot for the prosperity and well-being of its citizens and businesses. The Belgian Presidency of the Benelux intends to raise awareness of these benefits.
Therefore, under the slogan "80 years of the Benelux: together without borders", a Benelux Day will be organised on 5 September 2024 – the 80th anniversary of the customs cooperation. From now on, this day will be celebrated every year to highlight the actions of the Benelux.
On the occasion of this day, we invite you to read this text, in which Theodora Gentzis, President of the Board and President of the Benelux Council, highlights the connection between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, in the past, as well as in the present and the future.
Discover some success stories
- The Benelux Police Treaty allows police in each of the countries to pursue suspects on each other's territory. The treaty also improves information exchange between police departments. Work is continuing on even closer cooperation, such as for consulting each other's population registers and other government records. The Police Treaty is a source of inspiration for police cooperation at the EU level.
- Reinforced Belgian inland navigation vessels can reach the ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend via the Western Scheldt in the Netherlands unhindered, and vice versa. Thanks to the Benelux legal instruments, the route is no longer considered an 'international journey'.
- The Benelux countries and neighbouring regions, such as the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, are playing a key role in the green energy transition supported by the Benelux Union. Thus, 67% of future green hydrogen imports will arrive via Benelux ports and pipelines.
- A readmission agreement between the Benelux countries and Mongolia not only promotes cooperation between these countries, but also improves communication between them in order to efficiently address illegal migration together. The Benelux countries have concluded such an agreement with more than 30 other countries.
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