DOCSLIB.ORG

Unconventional Gas in the Benelux: Cautious Attitudes and Regional Interplay Simon G

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Unconventional Gas in the Benelux: Cautious Attitudes and Regional Interplay Simon G View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Hochschulschriftenserver der TH Wildau Journal of European Management & Public Affairs Studies 2014 – Vol. 1 No. 2 jempas.th-wildau.de Articles / Aufsätze Unconventional Gas in the Benelux: Cautious Attitudes and Regional Interplay Simon G. J. Devos Technical University of Applied Sciences, Wildau, Germany Abstract. The three countries of the Benelux the treaty was renewed and the name shortened to Benelux Un- are often overlooked in Europe’s current un- ion. As the original name implies, economic cooperation is at the conventional gas debate. But the Netherlands, heart of the Benelux. Thus, the development of unconventional Belgium and Luxembourg all possess consid- gas resources should be a matter of this union. erable shale gas resources, and major energy However, analyzing policy on unconventional gas on a Bene- companies have already taken an interest. So lux level is not an easy thing to do. The Benelux Economic Un- far no serious drilling has taken place. This ion has an administration (the Secretariat-General in Brussels) article puts the discoveries and recent action and a parliamentary assembly. The parliament not possess any in the perspective of regional breakdown of specific powers within the energy policy area and specifically, public policy and government authority. Ana- the unconventional gas issue. It does not engage in lawmaking lyzing business prospects, economic policy and but has a role in information exchange among parliaments of the regulatory action of the different governments member states, and advises member states on international eco- in the Benelux, the article yields insight into nomic cooperation. the relevant power structure inside the policy Strictly taking to the constitutional organization of the Benelux domain. The influence of different members of member states, at least ten involved governments can be identi- the Benelux on the other members is discussed. fied, eight of which are part of the complex political landscape of All three countries have adopted a rather Belgium: cautious attitude towards the exploration and the Cabinet of the Netherlands, representing the Dutch citi- production of unconventional gas. zens in all matters, the Council of the Government of Luxembourg, representing Keywords: Belgium, Benelux, chemical industry, coalbed me- the citizens of Luxembourg in all matters, thane, energy, energy policy, Flanders, fracking, hydraulic frac- the Federal Government Council of Belgium, representing turing, Luxembourg, regulatory politics, Royal Dutch Shell, the citizens of Belgium in certain environmental and energy- shale gas, The Netherlands, unconventional gas related matters, the Flemish Community of Belgium, representing the Dutch Author: The author is an M.A. candidate in the European Man- speaking citizens of Belgium in social matters, agement program at Technical University of Applied Sciences, the Flemish Region of Belgium, representing Flemish citi- Wildau, Germany, and the M.A. program in Management of zens in economic and environmental matters, European Affairs at Université des Sciences et Technologies de the Walloon Region of Belgium, representing the Walloon Lille (Lille I), France. He holds a B.A. in business management citizens in economic and environmental matters, from Katholieke Hogeschool Zuid-West-Vlaanderen (now the Wallonia-Brussels Federation of Belgium, representing Vives) in Kortrijk, Belgium. the French speaking citizens of Belgium in social matters, the German-speaking Community of Belgium, representing the German speaking citizens of Belgium in social matters, Introduction the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium, representing the Brussels citizen in economic and environmental matters. The “Benelux” is, contrary to popular European usage of the In addition, the provinces of both Belgium and the Netherlands term, not just a handy acronym for a geographic and cultural have specific executive powers within the environmental policy group of three countries within the EU. It is a true formal union domain, but they are considered to not be of high importance for of states, complete with executive, legislative and judiciary in- legislative decisions. The state organization of the Kingdom of stitutions and a long history of intergovernmental cooperation. Belgium is changing. From July 2014, the Communities and The union goes back to a 1944 customs agreement and the 1958 Regions will obtain extra powers in environmental and energy treaty which established the Benelux Economic Union. In 2008, policy. JEMPAS 17 Journal of European Management & Public Affairs Studies 2014 Via analyzing recent news coverage from both local and inter- iary Gas Transport Systems. After some lobbying, Gazprom also national press, policy makers’ speech and scientific articles, this became a shareholder in this project, with a capacity of two article focuses on the main responsible governments within the billion cubic metres per year (Medvedev, 2013), which is ap- policy domain of unconventional gas. The first main section proximately 42 percent of the total capacity of the storage facili- draws a basic sketch of those stakeholders, highlighting their ty. But the Dutch government is not really keen on further coop- history, future prospects, public policy actions, and business- eration with Gazprom after severe incidents on the extraction of government relations in relation to unconventional gas. A shorter gas between the company and Royal Dutch Shell during the second section specifically focuses on recent intergovernmental Sakhalin II-project in the Russian Arctic. A Gasunie manager developments and actions between Flanders and the Netherlands, stated, “shale gas is a very interesting opportunity for Gasunie the two Dutch-speaking members of the Benelux area. and the Netherlands to keep its independence and reliability on the transportation of gas in the future” (Verberg, 2013). The reserves of shale gas in the Netherlands are estimated be- tween circa 200 and 500 billion cubic metres (Zijp, 2012). The The Netherlands map of figure 1 shows the area where unconventional gas can be found in the Netherlands. The Netherlands have a long history in drilling for convention- Quite a lot of the possible extraction territories within the al gas. Today, they are the largest EU gas producer and exporter: Netherlands have been given as concessions to a company. At “Although they have passed the point of peak gas production and present, the Dutch public authorities have provided a company, our gas reserves are diminishing, the Netherlands can maintain Brabant Resources BV, a license to start test drilling for shale gas its current position until around 2025” (Government of the in Boxtel in the Flevoland province, one of the most promising Netherlands, 2013). But as its conventional gas reserves from the areas to extract shale gas in the future. The company, which is large Groningen gas fields are shrinking, the Netherlands are minority state-owned (40 percent of the shares of Brabant Re- looking for a replacement. Gas revenues yield €15 billion a year sources BV are owned by the state-controlled EBN BV, which currently; 42 percent of the nation’s energy comes from natural also invests in other unconventional gas projects in Northern gas, which is an exceptionally high share in Europe (Steinglass, Europe). This company is the only one so far who has really 2013). Gas as an energy source is not uncontroversial. Since wanted to start exploring shale gas; but its license has been sus- 1986, multiple earthquakes have occurred in the Netherlands pended in March 2012 because of strong opposition from both because of the extraction of gas, resulting in much critical debate citizens and local public authorities. “Public support is very and public opinion being rather pessimistic about further extrac- important to realize this project, and at present, there is no public tion of gas in the Netherlands (Heylen, 2013). support”, argued activist Stijn De Klerk (2012), member of the Currently, conventional gas extraction is mainly operated by action committee “Shale-free Boxtel.” the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij, co-owned by Royal Boxtel is not the only place where communities have voiced Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil. This company does have the tech- strong opposition and local authorities have announced they nology and know-how available to extract shale gas in the Neth- would deny well permits. The Netherlands are known for a very erlands. One NAM executive has clearly stated: “We have built active scene of environmental groups, and their arguments that up years of experience in extracting gas within the Netherlands, the Dutch have location-specific problems because of high popu- and we used fracking to extract some of our conventional gas lation density, complex infrastructure and too permeated with fields, so we can and should definitely explore this now” water convinced many locals to be cautious about “fracking.” A (Windhorst, 2012). spring 2013 public opinion survey by polling firm Maurice de Hond showed 44 percent against and 35 percent in favor of de- veloping shale gas (Steinglass, 2013). “Opponents are winning the Dutch shale gas war,” declared a newspaper in April 2013: Support for extracting shale gas from under the Netherlands is fad- ing and an increasing number of local councils are taking a stand […]. So far, 33 of the country’s 400 local authority areas have de- clared they are opposed
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Challenging Times Need Focussed Policies and Programmes
    Newsletter January 2011 European Alliance Group Challenging times need focussed CONTENT policies and programmes EA Rapporteur welcomes the crea- By EA Group President tion of the Intergroup on Health in the CoR As we begin the - Daiva Matonienė appointed CoR tions are now the past for regions will continue. Our rapporteur on the EU LIFE+ mid New Year reflec- group will strongly oppose any form of term review renationalisation of the Structural and coming to frui Cohesion funds. This is a clear message EA coordinator for EDUC Commis- tion on aCommon number that we will take to the Cohesion forum- sion welcomes 2011 as the Euro- Agriculture Policy of policy issues in- at the end of January. - pean year of Volunteering particular the future of the Focussed policies must also have tan- as well as the Struc gible benefits for regions and local au 2 CoR Plenary to adopt Brian Meaney’s tural Funds. We have argued on many thorities across the EU and then dis - opinion on biomass sustainability occasions for the need for a strong CAP cussing these in a European context, which will guarantee fully traceable, this is why I’m delighted that our col Francesco Musotto to take part in high quality food supply and security- leagues inSustainable the Scottish Tourism National Policy Party for the citizens of the EU as well as a have invited our group to Scotland to ARLEM Plenary Session in Agadir ‘fair’ income for farmers. We will con Asdiscuss we begin the European Year of Vol- tinue to reiterate our points to ensure unteeringon the 21st March 2011.
    [Show full text]
  • EP Elections 2014
    EP Elections 2014 Biographies of new MEPs Please find the biographies of all the new MEPs elected to the 8th European Parliamentary term. The information has been collated from published sources and, in many cases, subject to translation from the native language. We will be contacting all MEPs to add to their biographical information over the summer, which will all be available on Dods People EU in due course. EU Elections 2014 Source: European Parliament- 1 - EP Overview (13/06/2014) List of countries: Austria Germany Poland Belgium Greece Portugal Bulgaria Hungary Romania Croatia Ireland Slovakia Cyprus Italy Slovenia Czech Latvia Spain Republic Denmark Lithuania Sweden United Estonia Luxembourg Kingdom Finland Malta France Netherlands EU Elections 2014 - 2 - Austria o People's Party (ÖVP) > EPP o Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) > S&D o Freedom Party (FPÖ) > NI o The Greens (GRÜNE) > Greens/EFA o New Austria (NEOS) > ALDE People’s Party (ÖVP) Claudia Schmidt (ÖVP, Austria) 26 April 1963 (FEMALE) Political: Councils/Public Bodies Member, Municipal Council, City of Salzburg 1999-; Chair, Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) Parliamentary Group, Salzburg Municipal Council 2004-09; Member, responsible for construction and urban development, Salzburg city government, 2009- Party posts: ÖVP: Vice-President, Salzburg, Member of the Board, Salzburg, Political Interest: Disability (social affairs) Personal: Non-political Career: Disability support institution (Lebenshilfe) Salzburg: Manager for special needs education 1989-1996, Officer responsible for
    [Show full text]
  • Assembly of Western European Union
    _.a:\#,Z/;u +* Assembly of Western European Union DOCUMENT 1604 28 Aprit 1998 FORTY-FOURTH SESSION The Assembly of WEU and the parliamentary dimension of security policies REPORT submrttcd on behalf of the Committee for Parhamentarl'and Pubhc Rclatrons by' Mr Woltjer, Charrman and Rapportcur .J N \o { ASSEMBLY OF WESTERN EUROPEAN LINION 43, avenue du Presrdent-Wilson, 15775 Paris Ccdex 16 Tel 0l 53.67 22.00 - Fax 0l 53.61 22.01 E-marl [email protected] Internet : http //uur','. wcu rnt/assembly/r,l clcomc html Document 1604 28 April 1998 The Assembly of llEU and the parliamentary dimension of security policies REPORTI submitted on behalf of the Committeefor Parliamentory and Public Relationsz by Mr lYoltjer, Chairman and Rapporteur TABLE OF CONTENTS DRAFT RESOLUTION on the Assembly of WEU and the parliamentary drmensron of securrt.v policies DRAFT ORDER on the Assembll' of WEU and the parhamentary drmension of sccuntl' pohcies EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM submrtted by Mr Woltler, Chairman and Rapporteur l. Introduction II Parliaments and the framing of security policres l. National assemblies 2 Europeanandtransatlanticinterparliamentar)'institutions (t) The Assembll'of WEU 0t) The North Atlantic Assembly (NAA) jir) The Parhamentary Assembly of the OSCE (t, Regional andsubregional interparliamentary assembhes (a) The Parhamentary Assembly of the Councrl of Europe (b) The Nordrc Council (c) The Benelux Interparliamentary Consultatrve Councrl (d) Othcr subregional assemblies (v) The European Parltament Td"pt.d unanimously by the Committee. ? Members of the Committee: Mr Wottjer (Chairman); Lord Russell-Johnston, Mr Eversdijk (Vice-Chairmen); MM Aleffi, Amoruso, de Assis, Mrs Beer, MM Debarge, Erler, Evin, Ghesquidre, Mrs Guirado (Alternate: Arnau Navarro) Mr Henry, Ms Jones, Mrs Katseli, MM Kollwelter, l*gendre, Lummer, Micheloyiannis, Mignon, Niza, Onaindia, Mrs Pulgar, Mr Rodeghiero, Ms Smith, Mrs Squarcialupi, Mr Taylor (Alternate: Vis), Mrs Terborg.
    [Show full text]
  • UK Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
    BRIEFING PAPER Number 7378, 16 November 2015 UK delegation to the By Arabella Lang Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Inside: 1. UK delegation to PACE 2. What is PACE? 3. How do European countries select their delegations? www.parliament.uk/commons-library | intranet.parliament.uk/commons-library | [email protected] | @commonslibrary Number 7378, 16 November 2015 2 Contents Summary 3 1. UK delegation to PACE 4 1.1 2015 controversy 4 1.2 How is the delegation selected? 6 1.3 How are Commons select committees appointed? 8 1.4 1992 controversy 9 2. What is PACE? 11 2.1 Role 11 2.2 Members 12 3. How do European countries select their delegations? 13 Cover page image copyright: Chamber-066 by UK Parliament image. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 / image cropped. 3 UK delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Summary How democratic is the UK’s ‘democratic conscience’? On Monday 16 November 2015 the House of Commons will debate a motion calling for a new method of selection of the UK Parliament’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The proposed list has been criticised for not including three ‘independently minded’ Conservative former members of the delegation, and described as ‘undemocratic’. The Government insists that the usual procedures have been followed. If the motion is passed, the UK will have only 11 days at the very most to agree a new process and a new delegation before PACE’s next meeting on 27 November 2015 (and in fact the new delegation’s credentials should be presented at least a week before that meeting).
    [Show full text]
  • 743/5Bis 743/5Bis
    743/5Bis 743/5Bis RAADGEVENDE CONSEIL INTERPARLEMENTAIRE INTERPARLEMENTAIRE CONSULTATIF BENELUXRAAD DE BENELUX 12 november 2007 12 novembre 2007 Towards a renewed Benelux Towards a renewed Benelux within a new Europe within a new Europe VAST SECRETARIAAT SECRETARIAT PERMANENT VAN DE INTERPARLEMENTAIRE BENELUXRAAD DU CONSEIL INTERPARLEMENTAIRE DE BENELUX PALEIS DER NATIE — BRUSSEL PALAIS DE LA NATION — BRUXELLES 2 743/5Bis The existing Benelux Treaty will expire in 2010. This document sets out the opinion of the Interparliamentary Consultative Benelux Council (the « Benelux Parliament ») on the future of the Benelux. It is a description of the past, present and possible future role of the Benelux. This document is intended as background material for a proper discussion within the parliaments of the three Member States. The Benelux is an organization which deals with a lot of useful issues. But one would only be fully aware of its existence, if the Benelux no longer existed. The Treaty revision provides us with the opportunity to give a new impetus to cooperation. We should not let this opportunity slip. There are broad opportunities with regard to cooperation, even in the frame- work of the new enlarged European Union. This document is a contribution from the Interparliamentary Consultative Benelux Council, often called « Benelux Parliament ». The Parliament is composed of members from the parliaments of the three coun- tries. 21 are of Belgian nationality, 21 are of Dutch nationality and 7 are of Luxembourg nationality. 1. THE BENELUX: A STRONG CONCEPT «Benelux » is a strong concept, a name known by everybody. Unfortunately, its achievements are little known among the public.
    [Show full text]
  • A TOOLBOX for REGIONAL ENERGY COOPERATION REGIONAL STEPS TOWARDS an ENERGY UNION Publisher J.P.R.M
    A TOOLBOX FOR REGIONAL ENERGY COOPERATION REGIONAL STEPS TOWARDS AN ENERGY UNION Publisher J.P.R.M. van Laarhoven General Secretariat of the Benelux Union Regentschapsstraat 39 • BE-1000 Brussels • [email protected] Coordination Team Market of the General Secretariat of the Benelux Union Layout Fuel. - Brussels - www.fueldesign.be Date October 2016 All rights reserved. 3 THE BENELUX, WHERE REGIONAL COOPERATION STARTS The Benelux cooperation is sometimes called the cradle of European integration. It actually was but also still is. Today, its vocation remains more than ever to trigger that integration. The Benelux is one of the oldest international collaborations in Europe and in terms of energy the General Secretariat hosts leading regional cooperation like the Pentalateral Energy Forum, the Gas Platform, BEN!EX and the North Seas Cooperation (previously NSCOGI). The Benelux Union plays a pioneering role in the Energy Union. Since the EU’s transition to a sustainable energy system runs through regional cooperation, we want to share with this paper some experience and analysis on regional energy cooperation of the past 15 years. Regional cooperation is striking a balance between a clear framework and flexibility, between structuring top down and nurturing bottom up the energy policy debate. The Benelux cooperation is structural, laid down in the Benelux Treaty, and offering a clear framework. It focuses on the continuous strengthening of an economic, sustainable and safe union between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. For more than half a century, the Benelux Secretariat is the pivot of this cross- border cooperation. With about 50 employees, the General Secretariat of the Benelux in general and the Market Team more specifically, works daily on concrete cross-border projects for citizens and companies respectively on energy.
    [Show full text]
  • ANNEX III BA 12 IB JH 01 Final Report
    FINAL REPORT Twinning Contract number BA 12 IB JH 01 TWINNING FINAL REPORT EUROPEAN COMMISSION TWINNING PROJECT FINAL REPORT Project Title: Enhancing the role of parliaments in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the EU integration context Partners: Hungarian National Assembly in consortium with the French National Assembly, as Member State Partners Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, National Assembly of Republika Srpska and Br čko District Assembly, as Beneficiary Partners Date 26 May 2016 Twinning Contract number BA 12 IB JH 01 Twinning Project ‘Enhancing the role of parliaments in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the EU integration context’ Page 1 FINAL REPORT Twinning Contract number BA 12 IB JH 01 Contents Section 1: Project data .......................................................................................................................... 3 Section 2: Content ................................................................................................................................. 4 2A – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 4 2B – BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................... 6 2C – IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS ........................................................................................ 13 Developments outside the project ...........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Plenaire Vergaderingen Zitting 2021 Séances
    BENELUX INTERPARLEMENTAIRE ASSEMBLEE PLENAIRE VERGADERINGEN ZITTING 2021 BENELUX ASSEMBLÉE INTERPARLEMENTAIRE SÉANCES PLÉNIÈRES SESSION 2021 BENELUX INTERPARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY PLENARY MEETINGS SESSION 2021 SÉANCES PLÉNIÈRES – SESSION 2021 PLENAIRE VERGADERINGEN – ZITTING 2021 PLENARY SESSIONS - SESSION 2021 PARLEMENT FÉDÉRAL DE BELGIQUE - SÉNAT FEDERAAL PARLEMENT VAN BELGIË - SENAAT FEDERAL PARLIAMENT OF BELGIUM - SENATE Palais de la Nation, Place de la Nation 1, 1000 Bruxelles Paleis der Natie, Natieplein 1, 1000 Brussel Paleis der Natie, Natieplein 1, 1000 Brussel VENDREDI 19 MARS 2021, VRIJDAG 19 MAART 2021 FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 RÉUNION À 10 HEURES 15 VERGADERING OM 10.15 UUR MEETING AT 10.15 AM 1. Ouverture de la séance 1. Opening van de zitting 1. Opening of the session Paroles de bienvenue et de remerciement par Mme Patricia Creutz, présidente du Parlement Welkomstwoord en dankwoord door mevrouw Patricia Creutz, voorzitster van het Welcoming and word of thanks by Ms Patricia Creutz, President of the Benelux Parliament Benelux Beneluxparlement Welcoming by Ms Stephanie D’Hose, President of the Belgian Senate Paroles de bienvenue par Mme Stephanie D’Hose, présidente du Sénat de Belgique Welkomstwoord door mevrouw Stephanie D’Hose, voorzitster van de Belgische Senaat Announcements Communications Mededelingen 2. Proposed recommendation on international football safety and tackling racism 2. Proposition de recommandation concernant la sécurité internationale dans le football et la 2. Voorstel van aanbeveling betreffende de internationale voetbalveiligheid en de aanpak van Rapporteur: Mr Jef Van den Bergh.- Discussion.- Vote racisme 3. The consequences of Brexit for the Benelux countries lutte contre le racisme Rapporteur: de heer Jef Van den Bergh.- Bespreking.- Stemming Interim report by Mr Karl Vanlouwe, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Rapporteur : M.
    [Show full text]
  • The Benelux Union and the Visegrad Group Inside the European Union
    The Benelux Union and the Visegrad Group Inside the European Union: Dealing with Environment and Climate Change By Johanna Jobse Submitted to Central European University Department of International Relations and European Studies In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts Supervisor: Professor Michael Merlingen Word count: 16.733 CEU eTD Collection Budapest, Hungary 2010 Abstract In this thesis an answer has been given to the main research question: Why do the Benelux Union and the Visegrad Group persist with the item of environmental policy and climate change even though the EU is quite active in this policy field? After contextualizing the topic and explaining what the Benelux Union and Visegrad Group do concerning the environment and climate change, a theoretical framework was created. This framework, consisting of the logic of consequences and the logic of appropriateness, led to six concrete possible reasons why the organizations made the decision to engage with the topics of environment and climate change: lobbying vehicle, wish to pursue certain policies, increase in the salience of the issue, preservation of the organization, international identity and value of the organization. Based on content analyses and interviews it was made clear that not all these six reasons were of the same importance. The most important reasons why both organizations decided to get involved with environment and climate change is because they see it as a very important topic and realize that by forming a power block their lobby position is much stronger than when they try to engage in the topic individually. All four reasons within the logic of consequences are relevant, although not all of them to the same extent and differing per organization.
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament (Strasbourg, 24-25 October 2019)
    http://assembly.coe.int Final edition Proceedings of the European Conference of Presidents of Parliament (Strasbourg, 24-25 October 2019) European Conference of Presidents of Parliament TABLE OF CONTENTS Opening of the Conference ..................................................................................................................... 3 Ms Liliane MAURY PASQUIER, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ..................3 Ms Marija PEJČINOVIĆ BURIĆ, Secretary General of the Council of Europe ....................................................5 Ms Marija PEJČINOVIĆ BURIĆ, Secretary General of the Council of Europe ....................................................5 Theme 1: "Our Common European Home": the next 70 years .....................................................................8 Mr Richard FERRAND, President of the National Assembly, France .................................................................8 Ms Marina CAROBBIO GUSCETTI, President of the National Council, Switzerland ........................................ 10 Mr Andreas NORLÉN, President, Riksdag, Sweden ........................................................................................ 11 Mr Viktoras PRANCKIETIS, President, Seimas, Lithuania ............................................................................... 12 Mr Ararat MIRZOYAN, President, National Assembly, Armenia ....................................................................... 13 Ms Cristina NARBONA, Vice-President, Senado, Spain .................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sjabloon: Algemeen Sjabloon
    Intervention of the President of the Senate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mrs. Ankie Broekers-Knol, at the Conference of the Association of European Senates, 14-15 June 2018, Bucharest Theme: Current challenges to the economic, social and territorial cohesion in Europe: what role for the Senates? Cohesion policy - a perspective from the Netherlands Dear President, dear Cālin, dear colleagues, Next week, on the 24th of June to be precise, the EU will cele- brate 30 years of cohesion policy. Within these 30 years 5 pe- riods of programming have shown that cohesion policy has changed along with changes in the European society: econom- ic, social and - of course - territorial changes, expanding the policy from reducing disparities between the various regions to a more balanced, more sustainable ‘territorial development'. And today, we are here in Bucharest to discuss the role of the Senate when it comes to economic, social and territorial cohe- sion. I would like to complement the chair for this meeting and on having organised the discussion in this stimulating and challenging way: each session another group of countries take the floor. I am delighted to see the aim of the Romanian Chair is to actively bring more interaction into our discussions, which is something the Dutch parliament has always applauded. So thank you for that! Let me start by placing the role of the Senate of the Nether- lands into the context of cohesion. In a decentralised unitary state – as the Netherlands is, with an important role for our provinces -, territorial cohesion and unity find expression in the Senate.
    [Show full text]
  • Is More BENELUX Cooperation the Future for the Low Countries ? Prof
    International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences p-ISSN: 1694-2620 e-ISSN: 1694-2639 Vol. 8 No. 5, pp. 37-48, ©IJHSS Is more BENELUX cooperation the future for the low countries ? Prof. dr. Herman Matthijs Senior Lecturer Public Finances at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel & Universiteit Gent :Belgium ABSTRACT The article examines the possibility of greater cooperation within the Benelux structure. What might the opportunities and consequences of maximizing the synergies of cooperation between Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands be ? In particular the article examines closer Benelux cooperation between the numerous European and international institutions. In addition the possibility of a single Benelux diplomatic service and a joint army is discussed. Finally the future position of the Benelux institutions are the topic of this study. Seeing the present problems with the working of the European Union, more integration of the three Benelux countries can be a solution in a divided Europe. Can more Benelux integration gives an upgrade of political power for the low countries ? Keywords: Benelux, European integration. Introduction In the case of this three countries there is already an institution concerning the integration. The intention of this study is to calculate the possibilities for more Benelux integration. Indeed , if the EU integration has no possibilities anymore and knows a present standstill and knowing the fact that this three countries are surrounded by greater European states ( Germany, France and the UK on the other side of the North sea ); a new attempt for more Benelux cooperation and integration is the only possibility for the lower countries. Also this three countries have already a history of integration and are comparable on the level of welfare.
    [Show full text]