Verhagen: modernise Benelux countries’ partnership

The Netherlands wants to thoroughly modernise the Benelux. The partnership between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg should be more focused on completion of the internal market, sustainability and the joint security agenda, Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen stated in the Lower House.

The partnership between the Benelux countries will also continue to function in the future as ‘test ground’ for Europe, said Verhagen. Accords such as the Schengen Treaty (free movement of persons and goods between the member countries) began with the Benelux, he emphasised.

The Benelux treaty expires in 2010. The Netherlands wants to sign a modernised treaty with Belgium and Luxembourg this summer, “that sharpens up and modernises the mission of the Benelux.”

Verhagen indicated during the debate that abolition of the partnership is out of the question. “The Benelux has yielded successes like Schengen, ensuring that there are no long tailbacks at the borders any more. The cross-border cooperation of the fire brigades, police and justice is also valuable,” according to the minister.

The German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia has indicated its interest in joining the Benelux. But Verhagen rejects this. The Netherlands is according to the minister in favour of “far-reaching pragmatic cooperation,” but not of a new structure.

Source: NIS News, 14 February 2008