Kerkrade-Herzogenrath
Evolution of cross-border governance
Even before the opening of the internal borders of the European Union in 1992, the municipalities of Kerkrade and Herzogenrath had decided to strengthen cross-border cooperation.
Following the signing in 1991 of the Treaty of Anholt which provides a framework for cross-border cooperation between Germany and the Netherlands, Kerkrade and Herzogenrath began informal cooperation. In July 1991 both municipalities signed a declaration of intent in order to create a working group called "Eurode". The cross-border projects identified on the environmental and economic level were brought together under a common strategic plan. For several years, this document was the reference to follow for the cross-border cooperation undertaken between the two municipalities, such that it became known informally as the “red bible”. It also included a programme of projects, of which some have subsequently been realised (such as the renovation of the Neustrasse/Nieuwstraat and the “Eurobabel” bilingualism project in primary schools). Beginning in 1992, deliberations were held between two commissions made up of elected officials and personnel of the two municipalities. These discussions eventually came to a conclusion in 1997, with the two towns demonstrating their shared desire to formalise their cooperation with the establishment of a public cross-border body. Since 1st January 1998, Kerkrade and Herzogenrath have thus been joined in this public body "Eurode," consisting of a general assembly (bringing together eight municipal councillors from Herzogenrath and eight from Kerkrade under a presidency alternating between the two town mayors) and an executive committee.
