REGIONAL COOPERATION IN EUROPE E X A M P L E S A N D I N S P I R AT I O N S
Benelux An economic union of three neighboring countries: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg that had its beginnings just after the Second World War, adjusting common economic policies. In 1951, members of Benelux joined West Germany, France, and Italy to form the European Coal and Steel Community. The main institutions of the Benelux Union are the Committee of Ministers, the Parliament, the Council of the Union, the Court of Justice, the SecretariatGeneral, the Organization for Intellectual Property. The Benelux Secretary General is located in Brussels. It is the central administrative pillar of the Benelux Economic Union. It handles the secretariat of the Committee of Ministers, the Council of Economic Union and the various committees and working parties. Moreover, it ensures the registry of the Benelux Court of Justice. DATES:
1922 Belgian-Luxembourg Economic Union was created. 1943 Monetary Convention of Benelux signed by governments in exile in London 1948 Customs Union between the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg entered into effect. The three countries exempted their mutual trade from customs duty and applied a uniform tariff for third countries. 1958 Treaty establishing the Benelux Economic Union was signed and entered into effect in 1960. The 3 countries work in unison on the completion of the internal market, the strengthening of cross-frontier cooperation and integration in the European Union. 2008 The new Benelux Treaty confirms this endeavor for an indefinite duration.
Western Balkans The Western Balkans is the term used by the European Union for the sub-region comprising Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro. With the exception of Albania, the countries of the Western Balkans were formerly constituent republics of the old Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. After 1991, the EU's main objective for the Western Balkans region is to create a situation where military conflict is unthinkable – expanding the peace, stability, prosperity and freedom, established over the last fifty years in the European Union. The countries of the Western Balkans have all been given the prospect of EU membership.
WEBSITE: www.benelux.int
18
VISEGRAD INSIGHT 1|2012