In the context of the health crisis, all of the neighbouring countries have sought to encourage homeworking. Good news for cross-border workers: the legal uncertainty regarding the social security system governing cross-border workers has been removed until 31 December 2020.
The diplomatic contact group of the EU Council, COREPER II, met in early September to discuss better coordination between Member States regarding internal borders, with "particular attention given to border regions".
The MOT’s 23rd general assembly, held in Colmar, was an opportunity for rich discussions between representatives of territories that are sometimes very different and yet so similar in terms of their cross-border specificities. You have done me the honour of electing me as the MOT’s President and I am conscious of the responsibility this represents.
The network of the Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT) met in Colmar on 8-9 September, at the invitation of the Haut-Rhin Department, to elect its new President: Christian Dupessey, Mayor of Annemasse and First Vice-President of Annemasse Agglo.
The AEBR has published a compendium setting out analyses of the 43 obstacles and solutions identified over the course of the first two calls for proposals of the b-solutions initiative. NB: 3rd call for proposals extended until 11 October 2020.
The third call for proposals in the framework of the b-solutions initiative is opened. Deadline extended until 11.10.2020!
DG MOVE is working on a comprehensive Strategy for a Sustainable and Smart Mobility with a view promoting better and greener cross-border mobility. A public consultation shall allow both stakeholders and citizens to comment and identify their priorities.
The Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) launched a new online "Public consultation on overcoming obstacles in border regions", and invite citizens and/or border stakeholders to participate and share their opinions and feedback. Extended deadline: 11 October.
On 9-10 November 2020, the Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière (MOT) is hosting in Paris the first edition of the BORDERS FORUM. This exceptional event will take place under the patronage of Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic.
At a time when Europe is at a turning point and is about to decide on its budget and political guidelines for the period 2021/27, the MOT, AEBR (Association of European Border Regions), and CESCI (Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives), are launching an European Cross-border Citizens’ Alliance, which is addressed to the European and national authorities so that they recognise the importance of cross-border cohesion as the cement of the European Union.
The MOT network’s working groups met for the first time in the form of webinars on 12 June (the “Territorial Solidarity” group), 17 June (the “Cross-Border Governance” group) and 24 June (the “Metropolitan Cooperation” group). Their purpose is to share experiences along borders, to generate proposals for action, and to contribute to political reflections for the BORDERS FORUM to be held on 9-10 November.
The MOT has contributed to the production of a report together with Professor Philippe Weckel and Robert Botteghi, within the framework of the territorial diplomacy (DITER) programme, of the University of the Côte d’Azur.
A year ago, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region commissioned the MOT to carry out a capitalisation study that gave a voice to regional players involved in ALCOTRA and MARITTIMO projects by means of a broad consultation process.
The current crisis across Europe has sparked criticisms, divisions and inconsistencies between countries, with significant impacts on the lives of people in border regions. However, the European Union – which is working to restart activity – is there to restore free movement in Europe, which is indispensable for the development of European citizenship. As a central part of the recovery, we need to rethink the challenges of the post-Covid period, such as education, agriculture, healthcare, trade, eco-friendly mobility and sustainable development.
Edited by Isabelle Pigeron-Piroth (University of Luxembourg) and Rachid Belkacem (University of Lorraine), the latest thematic issue published by the UniGR-Center for Border Studies provides an analysis of cross-border employment and related issues. Comprising seven chapters contributed by ten authors, it has a preface by Jean Peyrony, the MOT’s Director-General.
Since 2008, the Léman Council has provided a Léman Coherence Transport Strategy. This initiative, which is led by the Canton of Valais, provides an overview for the whole of the Léman region.
Drawing on 29 years of cross-border cooperation, the "Espace Mont-Blanc" ("Mont-Blanc area") on the Franco-Italian-Swiss border is striving to adapt its territory by seeking joint responses to the impacts of climate change.
Resolution adopted on 19 June.
The MOT has published an analysis of the consequences for cross-border territories of the health crisis – the result of a call for experiences issued to all of its members. Organised in three main parts, it aims to set out the impacts, difficulties and initiatives linked to the management of the Covid-19 health crisis in cross-border territories.
While a circular issued by France’s Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, dated 12 May has just extended France’s internal border controls until 31 October 2020,1 there have been growing calls to give attention to the difficulties faced in border territories, notably for the 360,000 cross-border workers who cross the French border every day to work in a neighbouring country.
