Figure 34 Evolution of the Netherlands- Belgium Border
These two small countries, located in a trade zone, quickly realised that cross-border cooperation was a critical lever for their mutual development. As a result, the first Interreg programme focusing on the region was implemented as early as 1990. The Belgian-Dutch border region is one of Europe's most integrated and developed. The program's main action themes are related to environmental issues, population growth, and population well-being. Given the region's economic health, the priorities of the Belgium-Netherlands Interreg programme are primarily aimed at removing institutional and administrative barriers to cross-border cooperation.(ȘLUSARCIUC 2015) The environment is also a focus of the cooperation programme: the cross-border territory is densely populated and industrial, necessitating extensive emergency planning and disaster prevention measures. The two countries are also involved in the Interreg "Two Seas" programme, which aims to build links with the United Kingdom and support Belgian-Dutch economic activity in the direction of the United Kingdom (and vice-versa). The programme also aims to improve access to the affected areas and promote tourism in the area. Finally, on a smaller scale between the two Dutch provinces (central and southern Limburg), the "Euregio Meuse-Rhine" operational programme strengthens cooperation, with primary goals relating to energy and job creation. The populations also play an important role in the development of cooperation, which is heightened by the fact that they share a common language. The "Scheldemond" Euroregion contributes to the strengthening of identity and territorial unity by offering population services and joint cultural initiatives to the two countries.
37
