Benelux

Benelux foreign ministers set course for 2026

15 Dec. 2025

The annual meeting of the Benelux Committee of Ministers has adopted the work plan for 2026. This took place during a session where the three foreign ministers of the Benelux countries came together to look ahead to the future of regional cooperation. Dutch Minister David van Weel joined the meeting via video link, while Xavier Bettel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, and Belgian Minister Maxime Prévot were physically present. Bettel chaired the meeting as President of the Committee. This in the presence of the members of the Benelux College of Secretaries-General.

During the discussions, the ministers reflected on a year of successful cooperation under Luxembourg’s chairmanship. Concrete results achieved in various areas were reviewed. With the adoption of the 2026 work plan, a clear course with specific activities for the coming year was set. This plan will be officially published at the start of 2026 during the Netherlands’ presidency of Benelux.

A key moment was the approval of the text of the treaty against social fraud, which will be signed under the Dutch chairmanship. With this step, the three countries aim to strengthen their joint approach to cross-border fraud, address abuse of social systems, and improve working conditions.

Finally, the Committee appointed a new College of Secretaries-General, which will officially take office on 1 January 2026. This new team is tasked with further strengthening Benelux cooperation, overseeing the implementation of the annual plan and the multi-year work program, and deepening collaboration between the three countries at strategic and administrative levels.