MEUSE-RHINE: A VISION OF THE FUTURE
[EDIT: Aachen, November 16] Quality of life and innovation were a focus, and the solution to obstacles which impeded cross-border cooperation between the partner regions within Meuse-Rhine. Crucial in this are cross-border transport, differences in labor law, social security law and taxation. Cross-border care and medical treatment are moving ahead - important in view of the demographic developments in the region. Public transport will receive attention; and, in addition, clear emphasis was placed on the development of the knowledge-economy, which is crucial for the future. The policy was drawn up in what was called the ‘Vision Document’, produced by cooperation among the parties, and the INTERREG funding also played an important role in its development. There were seven principle themes in the Vision Document which were: • Economic development with sustainable growth and employment and the removal of practical obstacles which make it difficult for employers and workers to make use of the opportunities that Europe offers. There are other areas that will receive attention including a language strategy. A new instrument mentioned is the European grouping of territorial cooperation, EGTC, which is a new European legal instrument enabling regional and local authorities from different member states to set up cooperation groupings with a legal personality. This enables the organization and management of cross-border transnational or inter-regional cooperation measures, with or without financial contributions from the EU, and to carry out these tasks an EGTC may create its own structure and have assets and hire staff. The role of national government is mentioned, and in a recent letter to the Dutch parliament, Minister ter Horst, of Home Affairs, on November 6 expressed his support for the far-reaching cross-border cooperation and looked upon Limburg and Meuse-Rhine as having a pioneer role at national and also EU level in this. Finally, there is the desire to brand the Meuse-Rhine as a creative knowledge and technology region with a high quality of Europe, in the heart of Europe, unity in diversity was the watchword. *The Vision Document has been accepted
A meeting of Meuse-Rhine’s political top was held in Aachen at the Casino on November 16. It was chaired by Governor Léon Frissen of Limburg NL, who is currently the chairman of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregional Authority. He presented a strategic vision and an operational policy for Meuse-Rhine in the coming years. Also present were Deputy Herman Vrehen (from Limburg NL), Governor Michel Foret and Deputy Julien Mestrez (from the Province of Liège), the governor of the Cologne/Aachen region, Hans Peter Lindlar and Karl-Heinz Lambertz (Prime Minister of Belgium’s German-speaking community) and Deputy Marc Vandeput, of Limburg (B). It was at the beginning of his period in the chair that Governor Frissen took the initiative to accelerate and expand Euregional cooperation.
• Knowledge Institutes. This involves the promotion of cooperation between scientific institutes in projects such as the Alma Grid and the Charlemagne Platform, which should be imitated.
• The labor market and education require attention with results in the areas of differences in social security, labor law, and tax law. Labor mobility must increase, vocational training programs must be comparable and training and diplomas must receive reciprocal recognition. Language training is important too.
• Cross-border care has to be better facilitated and there will be a taskforce which will focus on the most important areas in this context.
• Mobility and Infrastructure - in particular across-borders. Public transport will also receive attention.
• Culture and Tourism is of great importance
• Safety and the environment, taking account of the problems of organized crime, combating disasters and protection of the essential infrastructure and the environment.
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