Successful government session with NRW

On Friday 18 January, the Government of Flanders welcomed Minister-president Laschet and the Ministers of North Rhine-Westphalia in Brussels for the second joint government session. Together with the Netherlands, the German Länder is one of the most important partners of Flanders. Consequently, no less than 17 decisions were adopted.

The contacts between Flanders and North Rhine-Westphalia are intensive and varied. Therefore, the 17 made decisions covered a wide range of topics and themes.

Given the close economic ties between the two federated states and the United Kingdom, Brexit was high on the agenda. It was decided to exchange best practices on Brexit preparedness, especially for  SMEs. Both governments also want to work together on European level, to keep the economic ties with Britain as strong as possible.

Also, for EU cohesion policy and Interreg, Flanders and North Rhine-Westphalia want to work together to weigh on European policy.

Chemistry and mobility were discussed in detail. Flanders, North Rhine-Westphalia and the Netherlands launched in 2017 the trilateral chemistry strategy which is currently being implemented. Together with the German colleagues, the Flemish Government wants to further increase the dynamics of this implementation.

The ministers responsible for mobility, Weyts and Wüst, signed a declaration of intent on cooperation on mobility. The purpose is to strengthen the connections between the Flemish seaports and the North Rhine-Westphalia hinterland, in particular via inland ports and logistic hubs.

Furthermore, collaborations on renewable energy, green infrastructure (land development and development, air pollution, ...), education, health care and architecture were agreed.

Both Ministers-presidents spoke at the end of a very successful government session.

The pictures of the joint government sessions

General Representation of the Government of Flanders in Germany