Credit: MAEE
On Monday 14 November 2022, the Committee of Ministers of the Benelux Union met in Brussels under the chairmanship of Luxembourg's Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn.
According to the ministry, the Luxembourg Presidency of the Benelux Union has worked for a Benelux that emerges stronger from the pandemic, for a green, safe and competitive Benelux, as well as for a Benelux that seeks synergies with neighbouring regions. Lessons have been learned from the pandemic to better take into account cross-border dimensions in the future. Events dealing with topics ranging from realities in terms of exchanging regional practices, crisis management, transport sustainability and telework were organised. The countries closely follow developments in the cross-border labour market. The links between the Benelux and the Greater Region have been strengthened because the two regions share the same visions and challenges.
The ministers gave their agreement to the finalisation of their 2023 work plan. Minister Asselborn also recalled the importance of cross-border cooperation and reaffirmed Benelux's desire to remain a laboratory for Europe.
The Member States then wished to thank the outgoing Secretary General Alain de Muyser for the work accomplished both during the past three years and during his previous mandates as Deputy Secretary General between 2012 and 2019.
Following the principle of rotation, the Committee of Ministers appointed Frank Weekers, of Dutch nationality and current Deputy Secretary General, as Secretary General of Benelux from 1 January 2023. At the same time, Jean-Claude Meyer, former Ambassador of Luxembourg to Switzerland and Lichtenstein, was appointed as the new Luxembourg member of the College of Secretaries General of Benelux.
Minister Asselborn also thanked the College of Secretaries General of Benelux for the excellent cooperation throughout the Luxembourg Presidency of Benelux, and expressed his wishes for success to the incoming Dutch Presidency.
