Benelux looks to the future: enhanced cooperation as a response to European challenges
15 Dec. 2025
At the Palais des Académies in Brussels, numerous decision-makers, experts, and diplomats gathered yesterday for a Benelux event focused on both reflection and foresight. Under the motto “Quo Vadis?”, Secretary-General Frans Weekers, together with his colleagues the deputy Secretaries-General Jean-Claude Meyer and Michel Étienne Tilemans, presented the results of three years of intensive cooperation and outlined opportunities for the future.
In his speech, Frans Weekers emphasized that Benelux, despite its modest size, continues to play a pioneering role in Europe. “Small, yet influential. Small, yet inspiring. Small, yet powerful,” he stated. He cited concrete achievements such as the Benelux Police Treaty, in force for two years, which forms the basis for a smart, efficient, and effective common approach to security, enabling joint patrols, information exchanges, and cross-border interventions.
On the socio-economic front, Benelux is also making progress. This morning, a new treaty was approved to combat social fraud and promote decent working conditions. Furthermore, the multilateral treaty on the automatic recognition of diplomas is gaining momentum: after the Baltic countries, Poland has joined the initiative, and other European states are showing interest. “This opens doors to professional mobility and opportunities for new generations,” said Mr. Weekers.
The Secretary-General recalled Benelux’s unique position within the EU: Article 350 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union allows the three countries to cooperate more quickly and more deeply than the EU itself. “We must make greater use of this privilege,” he insisted, referring to recent calls to strengthen the internal market and intensify cooperation in areas such as energy, telecommunications, and rail.
Beyond celebrating successes, such as the 40th anniversary of Schengen, attention was given to new challenges: resilience, military mobility, and collaboration between the defense industry and SMEs. Frans Weekers also highlighted Benelux’s openness to its neighbors, through official cooperation with Hauts-de-France and close ties with North Rhine-Westphalia.
The event, rich in discussions on security, sustainability, and the economy, and cross-bord cooperation marked the end of the current mandate of the College of Secretaries-General. On January 1, the trio will hand over to a new College. “If Benelux did not exist today, we would invent it without hesitation,” concluded Frans Weekers.
