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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.
Its main objective is the elimination of cross-border obstacles, in order to facilitate the implementation of projects and simplify the daily lives of border region inhabitants. To this end, “the two countries are giving territorial authorities in border territories and cross-border entities such as Eurodistricts appropriate competences, dedicated resources and accelerated procedures”; and “if no other means enables them to overcome these obstacles, suitable legal and administrative provisions, notably derogations, can also be granted”. The setting-up of a Franco-German Cross-Border Cooperation Committee, one of the treaty’s flagship measures, will be tasked with drawing up a joint strategy and putting forward proposals to address the difficulties encountered in border territories.
Among the 15 projects announced are: the expansion of programmes to encourage young people’s mobility; improvement of cross-border rail links; the redevelopment of the area close to the nuclear power plant in Fessenheim; and the creation of a Joint Citizens’ Fund aimed at supporting citizen-led initiatives
More info on the Aachen Treaty [fr]
Read the editorial of Nathalie Loiseau, French minister of european affairs
