Government of Flanders aims at Lys Mitoyenne treaty with France

On 28 October, the Government of Flanders decided to start negotiations on a new treaty for adaptation works on the River Lys, with both France and Wallonia.

Between the French Deûlémont, near Walloon Komen, and Flemish Menen, the river Lys is not only the state border between Belgium and France, but she is also part of the inland waterway connection between the Seine and Scheldt. This is an important part of the European TEN-T Corridor North Sea - Mediterranean Sea. Because the Lys has been straightened in recent decades, the river now constantly crosses the borders, which is why a new treaty is necessary: the work and costs of the Seine-Scheldt project need to be split between the governments of France, Wallonia and Flanders. 

This decision is a political signal, indicating the importance to the Government of Flanders of this new treaty. Minister-president Geert Bourgeois: "Improving Flanders' international access is an important objective of our foreign policy. Flemish diplomacy plays an important role in creating the conditions for our future prosperity."

Minister for Mobility and Public Works Ben Weyts: "This is a nice example of a cross-border project within European transport policy. With a new treaty, we can contribute to a "modal shift" from road to more ecological and safer transport by barge. "