Freiburg region-Central and Southern Alsace Eurodistrict
Countries: Germany , FranceRegions concerned: France – Pays de l’Alsace Centrale, Grand Pays de Colmar, Pays Rhin Vin vignoble Grand Ballon, Pays de la Région Mulhousienne; Germany – Emmendingen district, City of Freiburg, Breisgau Hochswarzwald district
Summary
The “Freiburg region-Central and Southern Alsace” Eurodistrict was established on 20 December 2000. It covers an area of 5,203 km2, with a population of 1,254,722 inhabitants, and brings together eight principal urban centres. It was created in order to develop the sectors of cooperation and to create a border region with its own collective identity.
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty governing Franco-German cooperation, the French and German governments called for the creation of Eurodistricts as a new form of cross-border cooperation.
Since 21 December 2000, following the signing of a cross-border cooperation convention within the framework of the Karlsruhe Agreement, the towns of Freiburg, Breisach and Colmar, and the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district have been in close cooperation. On 24 May 2003, at a meeting organised within the framework of this new convention, the principle of creating a Eurodistrict was adopted.
The territory of the “Freiburg region-Central and Southern Alsace” Eurodistrict is composed of the Freiburg region in Germany, the Pays of the Mulhouse region, the Pays Rhin-Vignoble-Grand Ballon, the Grand Pays de Colmar and the Pays of Central Alsace.
It brings together eight principal urban centres: Freiburg, Müllheim, Emmendigen, Walldkirch, Mulhouse, Colmar, Guebwiller, et Sélestat. The Eurodistrict benefits from a well-developed network of transport routes. The EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg opens the territory to Europe and the world. Economic activities are spread across the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. The territory is home to universities, and technology and research centres. It benefits from its attractiveness to tourists, through its rich cultural heritage, and the scenic diversity of its environmental heritage.
