The Benelux countries have presented their 2026 Annual Plan, ‘Cooperating without borders’

According to this Annual Plan, the three countries “must be able to respond more quickly to new risks, such as cyberattacks, disruptions to energy supplies or natural disasters. To achieve this, cooperation will be strengthened, both between national authorities and with neighbouring countries and other international partners. The Benelux thus remains true to its role as a testing ground for Europe and a driving force for cross-border cooperation”.

Note on page 6: ‘The Dutch Presidency will strive to remove obstacles that unnecessarily hinder the cross-border activities of businesses and citizens’; ‘The Benelux encourages the implementation of the BRIDGEforEU Regulation’. And the fourth point of the annual plan focuses on Benelux+ by identifying several areas of cooperation with the Hauts-de-France region and the Greater Region.