Benelux

Benelux launches German-language website and strengthens ties with German-speaking partners

16 Sep. 2026

A new language, the same ambition: making the Benelux more accessible to citizens and partners

Information on Benelux cooperation is now also available online in German. Today, the Benelux Secretariat-General launched the German-language version of its website. With this initiative, the organisation aims to make its information more accessible to German-speaking citizens, public authorities, businesses and other partners, both within the Benelux and beyond.

The choice of German reflects the multilingual reality of the Benelux as well as its close cooperation with German-speaking regions and countries. German is an official language in both Belgium and Luxembourg, and the Benelux maintains strong ties with German-speaking partners outside the Union. North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) plays a particularly important role in this regard. Recently, a new NRW liaison officer, Stefan van Heeck, joined the Secretariat-General.

The German-language website will also make it easier for the German-speaking Community of Belgium and other German-speaking partners to stay informed about Benelux projects and achievements.

“Cooperation does not stop at language borders. With the German-language website, we are making the Benelux more accessible to a wider audience and strengthening connections with important partners in our immediate neighbourhood and beyond,” said Ariadne Petridis, Secretary-General of the Benelux.

A testing ground for 48 million people

For many years, the Benelux has worked closely with North Rhine-Westphalia. Together, the German state and the Benelux countries form a highly interconnected cross-border region where people, goods and services cross national borders every day. Altogether, this area is home to around 48 million people.

It is precisely this day-to-day interconnectedness that makes the region a testing ground for European cooperation. Issues such as mobility, labour markets, energy, the economy and security do not stop at national borders. The German-language website will make the results of this cooperation more visible and provide the Benelux with an opportunity to share its experience with partners beyond the immediate border region.

Multilingualism as a strength

With the launch of the German-language version, the Secretariat-General is giving greater expression to the multilingual identity of the Benelux in its digital communications.

“The Benelux is small enough to cooperate quickly and large enough to make an impact. By communicating in German as well, we can share this experience with an even wider audience,” Petridis added.

The German version of the Benelux website is available as of today, alongside the Dutch, French and English versions.