News

  • The cross-border dimension on "the French Government's agenda"

    MOT

    The cross-border dimension on "the French Government's agenda"

    April 2019

    Around Robert Herrmann, the MOT’s President and President of the Strasbourg Eurometropolis, the representatives of the French Government at the MOT’s general assembly emphasised the favourable political context for cross-border cooperation. According to Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, Ambassador for Cooperation and Border Issues at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the cross-border dimension is now “at the heart of the French Government’s concerns”.

  • The Alsatian departments launch their "OR Strategy - Oberrhein / Rhin Supérieur"

    TERRITORIES

    The Alsatian departments launch their "OR Strategy - Oberrhein / Rhin Supérieur"

    April 2019

    The two departments, which will soon be grouped together as the European territorial authority of Alsace, wish to step up cross-border cooperation with their German and Swiss neighbours straightaway. The "OR Strategy – Oberrhein/Rhin supérieur" that they have just presented formalises these reflections and expert assessments.

  • The Franco-German Assembly

    ETATS

    The Franco-German Assembly

    April 2019

    The new Franco-German Assembly, set up in parallel with the Aachen Treaty, held its first session on 25 March in Paris. It will bring together at least twice a year 100 French and German parliamentarians in equal numbers, meeting in turn in France and Germany.

  • Greater Geneva - a special dossier

    TERRITORIES

    Greater Geneva - a special dossier

    March 2019

    To mark its general assembly in Annemasse and Geneva, the MOT is publishing a special issue of its newsletter focusing on Greater Geneva.

  • Editorial from Christian Dupessey, Mayor of Annemasse, President of Annemasse Agglo, Vice-President of the MOT and Jean Denais, Mayor of Thonon-les-Bains, President of the Metropolitan Pole of the French Genevois
  • European Territorial Authority of Alsace – towards a principle of differentiation

    FRANCE

    European Territorial Authority of Alsace – towards a principle of differentiation

    March 2019

    The French decree establishing the European Territorial Authority of Alsace through the merger of the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin Departments was published on 28 February. The new authority will come into being on 1 February 2021.

  • The IMeG’s position on the ECBM

    ETATS

    The IMeG’s position on the ECBM

    March 2019

    The "Cross-Border Metropolitan Regions" Initiative, which works on developing cross-border cooperation along Germany’s borders, has just published a position paper on the European Commission’s proposal to create a "mechanism to resolve legal and administrative obstacles in a cross-border context".

  • Aachen Treaty: the editorial of Nathalie Loiseau, French minister of european affairs

    ETATS

    Aachen Treaty: the editorial of Nathalie Loiseau, French minister of european affairs

    February 2019

    On 22 January in Aachen, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron signed a new treaty on cooperation and integration between Germany and France.

  • The Aachen Treaty: the cross-border dimension given full recognition

    ETATS

    The Aachen Treaty: the cross-border dimension given full recognition

    February 2019

    The Aachen Treaty marks a real recognition of cross-border cooperation as a central element in European construction. The fourth chapter, which is entirely devoted to cross-border cooperation, was drafted with active participation from the MOT.

  • North Lorraine Border Region Metropolitan Pole set up

    TERRITORIES

    North Lorraine Border Region Metropolitan Pole set up

    February 2019

    Created by the common desire of the presidents of eight Public Entities of Intermunicipal Cooperation, the new “North Lorraine Border Region Metropolitan Pole” was launched on 9 January 2019 in Thionville.

  • Opinion of the Parliament and the CoR on the proposal for a regulation on the ECBM

    EUROPE

    Opinion of the Parliament and the CoR on the proposal for a regulation on the ECBM

    January 2019

    In adopting its opinion on the proposal for a regulation on the ECBM on 22 November 2018, the European Parliament’s Regional Development Commission (REGI) embarked on the process of inter-institutional negotiations on the proposed tool.

  • The Grand Est Region's cross-border strategic orientations

    TERRITORIES

    The Grand Est Region's cross-border strategic orientations

    January 2019

    In December, the Grand Est Region published a brochure setting out its strategic orientations in the area of cross-border cooperation.

  • Cross-border issues at the heart of the Grand Est Region's SRADDET

    TERRITORIES

    Cross-border issues at the heart of the Grand Est Region's SRADDET

    January 2019

    After two years of co-construction, the elected representatives of the Grand Est Region presented the major elements of the Region’s SRADDET at an event in Metz on 30 November 2018.

  • France-Benelux: a declaration to step up cooperation

    ETATS

    France-Benelux: a declaration to step up cooperation

    January 2019

    On 11 December 2018 in Brussels, a declaration of intent regarding the development of closer cooperation between France and the countries of the Benelux Union (Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) was signed.

  • The Collectivity of Saint Martin: a Cross-border Catalyst

    TERRITORIES

    The Collectivity of Saint Martin: a Cross-border Catalyst

    December 2018

    At once a Caribbean island, an overseas collectivity of the French Republic and an Outermost Region (OR) of the European Union, the Collectivity of Saint Martin has resolutely placed regional integration at the heart of its development strategy.

  • State Visit between France and Belgium: advances for cross-border matters

    ETATS

    State Visit between France and Belgium: advances for cross-border matters

    December 2018

    On the occasion of the French president Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Belgium on 18 and 19 November, a declaration of intent on strengthening cooperation in matters of cross-border mobility and transport was signed by the two countries:

  • The Minister Jacqueline Gourault sets out her vision for "the territories"

    FRANCE

    The Minister Jacqueline Gourault sets out her vision for "the territories"

    November 2018

    At the Council of Ministers on 7 November 2018, the Minister for Territorial Cohesion presented a communication on France’s territories that sets out the Government’s objectives with respect to them. This document points out that in order to “identify each territory’s potential” it will be necessary to “build a ‘bespoke’ relationship with the players in that territory”.

  • On the way to Alsace as a European territorial authority

    FRANCE

    On the way to Alsace as a European territorial authority

    November 2018

    The French government has announced its support for the creation of a European territorial authority of Alsace, formed by the merger of the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin Departments. It will be set up as of 1 January 2021. “We will support the elected representatives in their desire for Alsace. This will all be within the Grand Est Region – not a special status, but an authority with particular competences that derive notably from the cross-border setting and Alsace’s Rhineland identity,” stated the Minister for Territorial Cohesion, Jacqueline Gourault.

  • The Eurometropolis launches its project platform

    TERRITORIES

    The Eurometropolis launches its project platform

    November 2018

    This new platform of the Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai Eurometropolis is aimed at developers of cross-border projects who wish to raise their profile, to find partners on the other side of the border, or who require assistance in implementing their project.

  • Good practices of EGTCs

    PUBLICATION

    Good practices of EGTCs

    November 2018

    A brochure published by the European Committee of the Regions presents examples of good practices by EGTCs across Europe.

  • An agreement between Wallonia and the Hauts-de-France Region

    TERRITORIES

    An agreement between Wallonia and the Hauts-de-France Region

    November 2018

    An enhanced cooperation agreement between Wallonia and the Hauts-de-France Region was signed on 15 September. It covers territorial development, mobility and jobs and reaffirms the desire to complete the planned linking up of the Seine-Escaut Canal on the Belgian side and the Seine-Nord Europe Canal on the French side.

  • Relaunch of the Cross-Border Strategic Committee on observation

    ETATS

    Relaunch of the Cross-Border Strategic Committee on observation

    October 2018

    On 18 September 2018 the sixth work meeting of the Cross-Border Strategic Committee (CSC) took place, which had not met since April 2015. Set up in 2013, the CSC brings together representatives of the ministries in charge of territorial development in France and its neighbours: Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium and Andorra, as well as their statistical institutes.

  • Construction of Greater Geneva: disappointment on the French side

    TERRITORIES

    Construction of Greater Geneva: disappointment on the French side

    October 2018

    On 14 September the Swiss Government introduced its bill concerning the funding of “Third generation conurbation projects”.

  • TERRITORIES

    A new cross-border park between France, Spain and Andorra

    October 2018

    On 24 August 2018, representatives of France, Andorra and Spain approved the creation of a new cross-border park: the “Three Nations Pyrenees Park”. This new park results from the merger of four already existing parks: the Alt Pirineu Nature Park in Catalonia, the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Nature Park and the Sorteny Valley and Comapedrosa Valley Nature Parks in Andorra.

  • Cross-border agenda at Grand Est council 'board meeting'

    FRANCE

    Cross-border agenda at Grand Est council 'board meeting'

    September 2018

    On 11 July 2018 in Châlons-en-Champagne in France, a meeting of the Grand Est Regional Administration Committee (CAR) was held: a veritable ‘board meeting’ of the State in the region, bringing together every two months the prefects of the region and the départements, and all of the decentralised services of the State.