News

NATIONAL LEVEL

Adoption of the “Experimentation” bill

On 16 March 2021, French Parliament definitively adopted the draft legislation aimed at simplifying and developing local experimentation initiated by territorial authorities.

TERRITORIES

26th Franco-Spanish summit: towards “a comprehensive cross-border strategy”

On 15 March 2021 the 26th Franco-Spanish summit was held in Montauban, the first to be held between the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez. As well as an agreement on recognition of dual nationality and management of the Covid crisis, cross-border issues were at the heart of the discussions.

MOT

Mountain shelters in the Pyrenees: setting up a cross-border cooperation structure

At the request of the French Federation of Alpine and Mountaineering Clubs, the MOT assisted – between April 2019 and November 2020 – the partners in the Interreg project "ENTREPYR II" in the choice and implementation of a cross-border legal structure to ensure the long-term future of cross-border cooperation regarding mountain shelters in the Pyrenees.

COVID-19

Border closure: a very difficult situation in Moselle

On 28 February, Germany took the decision to restrict crossings at its border for people coming from the Moselle, describing the department as “a zone in which Covid-19 is circulating”.

TERRITORIES

Editorial by Frédérique Bonnard-Le Floc’h, the Finistère Department Councillor in charge of higher education, research and European affairs

TERRITORIES

Cooperation between the Finistère Department and Cornwall County Council

Climate change doesn’t care about borders and calls for greater solidarity! The Finistère Department and Cornwall County Council have shared values and challenges: regional languages, a Celtic culture, and a strong relationship with the sea and the environment.

TERRITORIES

Brexit: the future of cooperation around the Channel at risk

Since it came into force on 31 January 2020, the effects of Brexit on the territories oriented towards the Channel are tangible. On both sides, the new procedures for exports are penalising small producers, the fishing and agri-business sectors, as well as the services sector (tourism and hospitality). The economic context linked to the double crisis (Covid and Brexit) is also putting many cross-Channel transport links at risk.

TERRITORIES

Greater Region: interactive cross-border map showing air quality

The Greater Region’s Geographical Information System and ATMO Grand Est have joined forces in order to develop an interactive map that makes it possible to check air quality across the whole of the cross-border territory of the Greater Region.

EUROPE

European consultation on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T)

The European Commission has launched a new public consultation on the TEN-T guidelines with respect to transport infrastructure. It is open until 5 May 2021.

EUROPE

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on cross-border public services

In February 2021, the European Committee of the Regions published an opinion entitled “Cross-Border Public Services in Europe”, for which the rapporteur is Pavel Branda (ECR/CZ), Deputy Mayor of Rádlo (Czech Republic).

EUROPE

Launch of the REGIOSTARS Awards 2021: get working on your cross-border projects!

Regiostars awards are the yearly competition organised by DG REGIO since 2008: it has become the Europe’s label of excellence for EU-funded projects, which demonstrate innovative and inclusive approaches to regional development.

NATIONAL LEVEL

Recovery and Ecological Transition Contracts: the cross-border dimension taken in

The Recovery and Ecological Transition Contracts (CRTE), announced by Jean Castex on 15 July 2020, set out “a new framework for dialogue with territories”.

MOT

Taking account of border towns in the national programme “Small Towns of Tomorrow”

In October 2020, the MOT was tasked by the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion and the Banque des Territoires as an “action partner” in the national programme “Small Towns of Tomorrow”.

TERRITORIES

French award for Saarland’s “France Strategy”

On 3 February 2021, Saarland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peter Strobel, went to Paris to receive the "Prix coup de cœur 2021" awarded by the magazine "Acteurs Publics".

Borders Forum: proceedings are online

On 9-10 November 2020, the Borders Forum brought together over 700 participants online, around many prominent figures, including ministers and elected representatives, from local to European level.

MOT

The MOT’s contribution to the 4D Bill

In 2020, the French government put the so-called 4D Bill – on decentralisation, deconcentration, differentiation and decomplexification – on the political agenda. This is good news for cross-border territories.

EUROPE

Survey on cross-border public transport in Europe

The DG REGIO has launched a study to identify all existing cross-border public transport services and related legal obstacles. The contributions to this survey are crucial to ascertain the number of existing services and to gather information on the challenges that need to be overcome.

MOT

European study carried out by the MOT on behalf of DG REGIO What have been the impacts of border restrictions on citizens?

At a time when we are seeing fresh border closures, the MOT is proposing to take a step back and to analyse the first phase of the crisis and its impact on cross-border living areas.

MOT

The MOT’s first entirely digital general assembly
: Cross-border players – always on the front line!

The MOT’s network met via video-conference on 4 February, with nearly 100 participants representing virtually all of its members, to discuss its work programme and priorities for the coming year.

TERRITORIES

Citizens’ participation: the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion and the Banque des Territoires launch the "Territoires en commun" platform

With the "Territoires en commun" (“Territories in Common”) platform launched on 19 January, the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion and the Banque des Territoires wish to enable all territorial authorities to have access to technical assistance for cooperation and citizens’ participation. The goal is to support territorial authorities and their partners – particularly state partners – in the appropriation of methods enabling the co-design of projects.

NATIONAL LEVEL

The national strategy for protected areas: what account is being taken of cross-border territories?

On 12 January the French government adopted its new national strategy for protected areas up until 2030.

TERRITORIES

Nova Gorica and Gorizia – two border towns to be a single “European Capital of Culture” in 2025

On 18 December 2020, the border towns of Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy) were designated “European Capital of Culture 2025”. This 100% cross-border candidacy represents a historic milestone for this competition: for the first time, the candidacy and the joint urban and cultural development project were steered by an EGTC in all of the phases of this long process.

TERRITORIES

Launch of the “Borders” literary prize 

On 2 February, the University of Lorraine and the University of the Greater Region, in collaboration with the UniGR-Center for Border Studies, launched the first edition of the “Borders” literary prize, dedicated to the universe of the writer Léonora Miano.

TERRITORIES

Survey aimed at the inhabitants of the Basel Trinational Eurodistrict

In collaboration with the MOT and the Euro-Institut, the Basel Trinational Eurodistrict is currently working on its Strategy 2030, which will set out its role, its organisation and its themes for the coming years. One of its goals is to involve citizens more, as cross-border cooperation is aimed at one thing above all: making daily life and coexistence the border region easier and more enriching for its inhabitants.

COVID-19

Restrictions at France’s borders: cross-border living areas finally recognised

Since 31 January 2021, anyone entering France, including from other European countries, must be in possession of a negative Covid test obtained within the previous 72 hours. However, this obligation does not apply to the inhabitants of cross-border living areas (for journeys lasting less than 24 hours) or to cross-border workers.