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Implications of the New Benelux Treaty on ECR

Implications of the New Benelux Treaty on ECR. New Benelux Treaty. Signed 17 June 2008. 1958 >< 2008. 1958 Detailed 100 articles Economic Union. 2008 Framework agreement 40 articles Benelux Union ( new name ). New Benelux Treaty. Reinforced political guidance.

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Implications of the New Benelux Treaty on ECR

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  1. Implications of the New Benelux Treaty on ECR

  2. New Benelux Treaty • Signed 17 June 2008 1958 >< 2008 • 1958 • Detailed • 100 articles • Economic Union • 2008 • Framework agreement • 40 articles • Benelux Union (new name)

  3. New Benelux Treaty Reinforced political guidance Cooperarion with other (regional) entities Focus on 3 themes • A multi-annual work programme and annual plans • Adopted and approved by Committee of Ministers • NORTH-RHINE-WESTFALEN • Political declaration • Nordic, Baltic, Visegrad 1. Internal Market and Economic Union 2. Sustainable Development 3. Justice and Home Affairs 2 Principles and objectives • Expand cross- border cooperation • Deepening of Benelux cooperation as an experimental laboratory for the EU Political cooperation = separate declaration

  4. The 5 institutions of the Benelux (treaty 2008) + BOIP B E N E L U X Interparliamentary Consultative Council Committee of Ministers Court of Justice In fonction of the agenda 49 deputies 9 judges Conseil High Functionaries Benelux Office for Intellectuel Property General Secretariat Complementary but different 3 SG + qq.55 employees

  5. Structure of the General Secretariat Board of Secretaries-General Management Service (legal services, book-keeping, personel,…) Staff Office (coordination, PR and innovation) Language Service (Translation and Interpretation) Team Market Team Sustainable development Team Justice and Home Affairs

  6. Justice and Home Affairs Senningencooperation (police) Fight against tax fraud 5 1 Team Justice and Home affairs 2 Euro Contrôle Route Fight against drugs 3 Immigration and visa matters

  7. ECR: a prime example of the Benelux’s role a precursor and an experimental laboratory in and for Europe • Started in 1994 by the Benelux Countries as a working group for roadside checks • 1997: closer ties with France First administrative Agreement signed by the Ministers of Transport of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg and France

  8. Period of expansion/growth • 2001: Ireland and Germany • 2002: United Kingdom and Spain • 2004: Austria and Poland • 2007: Romania, Bulgaria and Italy • 2008: Hungary • 2010: Lithuania Expansion Second Administrative Agreement Interested potential members: Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia

  9. Role Benelux in/for ECR According to the Administrative Arrangement article 10.5: - The secretariat of ECR is providedby the SG BNL. - SG BNL can act for ECR as: • Legal entity • Employer of personnel (costsfor the ECR budget) • The administrator of Euro ContrôleRoute’sfinances - Acts in conformitywith the directionsgivenby the Steering Committee. - (The costs are paidby ECR)

  10. Resources invested by Benelux SG in ECR/per annum

  11. “Return of investment” ECR for Benelux SG • The college of SG has to demonstrate the addedvalue of ECR for the Benelux • To continue to act as a testingground to fosternewideas • To promote a closercooperationwithin the Benelux basedonexperiencegainedwithin ECR • Joint controlsSterpenich, Zelzate • 2nd step evolvingtowards joint inspections teams (cfr. Policecooperation) ie. We want to keep a link, but we want as well ECR to grow

  12. Committee Committee Committee Steering Committee ECR Secretariat ExecutiveCommittee Working groups Committee of Ministers Council Steering Committees General Secretariat Working groups Interaction between SG and ECR ECR BENELUX

  13. Benelux workplans The Benelux workswith a common 4-year workprogramme and annualwork plans, which are approvedby the Committee of Ministers. • ECR is mentioned in the Benelux commonworkplan 2009-2012: “ Cooperationwillbestrengthenedwithin the framework of Euro Contrôle Route (ECR). Cooperationfocusingmainlyon the operationalaspectswillberaised to a strategical/tactical level and willbecomeautonomous.” • ECR is alsomentioned in the Benelux annualworkplan 2012: “In 2012, the SG will analyse, withECR’sExecutiveCommittee, the methodology to follow to obtain the autonomy of ECR and develop a strategic plan.”

  14. Autonomy • What? • When? • How?

  15. What? EGTS, Agency EU, Other • When? During the nextyearuntil 2015 basedon a vision and a plan • Transitionperiod: to besettledthrough MOU • Benelux SG • Benelux Countries (ministerial level)

  16. Strategy 2012 • June 2011 – June 2012: Belgianpresidency => drafting of a strategic plan forthe futureECR (autonomy) • Nextphase : Detailedproposal Steering Committee

  17. Strategy 2012 -2015 • MOU to bridge the intermediate period • Running time 1.01.2013 until de facto independance • Content: • Role of the SG • Specific tasks of both parties • Financial arrangement and responsibilities • To be determined: • Quid joint working plan 2013-2015

  18. Thank you for your attention

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