Editorial by Jean Rottner, President of the Grand Est Region and President of the FNAU

With the start of the 2022 marking the launch of France’s presidency of the European Union, it is an important time to champion the construction of a Europe that is closer to its citizens, a Europe of daily life, notably embodied by the cross-border territories, which contribute to cementing the European edifice.

En route for Katowice to talk cross-border cooperation!

MOT study for the Lille Metropolis Development and Urban Planning Agency: the impacts of the pandemic on the cross-border area

Between June and September 2021, the MOT was commissioned by the Lille Metropolis Development and Urban Planning Agency (ADULM) to conduct an analysis of the consequences of the border restrictions in the territory of the Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai Eurometropolis. The aim was to identify the issues highlighted and revealed by the crisis and the brakes on/levers for the development of the cross-border territory.

France’s presidency of the EU: what place for cross-border territories?

Joint declaration about the cross-border hospital in Puigcerdà

On 7 December in Brussels, the French Health Minister, Olivier Véran, and his Spanish counterpart, Carolina Darias, signed a declaration of intent concerning the cross-border hospital in Puigcerdá, which sets out the framework for cooperation with respect to healthcare professionals practising between the two countries.

Cross-border regions in the Commission’s proposed reform of the Schengen Area: a major step forward

On 14 December 2021, the European Commission presented to the European Parliament its proposals for new rules to strengthen the governance of the Schengen Area. The draft regulation, which sets forth a "Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders", specifically takes account of "cross-border regions".