Benelux Parliament

Cooperation with the Benelux Parliament

Baltic-Benelux parliamentary cooperation started in 1994. By signing the Common Declaration on Parliamentary Cooperation, parliamentarians agreed to cooperate in developing democratic institutions and foster coordination of activities in such field as foreign policy, communications, energy, market economy, environmental protection, culture, education and science. Throughout the years, the cooperation has expanded and taken new forms, priority fields and formats. The Benelux experience has been useful in solving cross-border problems, such as developing joint infrastructure facilities, opening common border-crossing checkpoints and organising common customs services as well as fighting against organised crime and illegal border crossing. The Benelux countries have also provided an indispensable support to the Baltic States in preparing for joining the Schengen information system.

The closest cooperation between the Baltic Assembly and the Benelux Parliament has taken place in the following spheres: local government cooperation, visa issues, cross-border cooperation, cooperation between sea ports, migration issues, preservation of the cultural heritage and fight against social security fraud, etc. The Baltic Assembly benefited from the experience of the  Benelux countries in the sphere of cross-border cooperation (for solving problems related to Valka and Valga), development of a common infrastructure as well as creation of joint border control points and unified management of customs services in order to ensure compliance with the criteria set by the Schengen system.

Decision on Priorities for 2022-2023

On 10 December 2021, the Presidium of the Baltic Assembly and the Bureau of the Benelux Parliament signed the document on the common priorities for 2022-2023. Document was signed by Vice President of the Baltic Assembly Jānis Vucāns and President of the Benelux Parliament Patricia Creutz. The priorities of the Baltic Assembly and the Benelux Parliament for 2022-2023 are: exchange of information and practices to combat COVID-19 and mitigate the negative effects of the crisis, as well as to prepare for possible cross-border crises in the future; security and defence cooperation with an emphasis on cybersecurity, and cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries; digital transformation and mitigation of its negative impacts; transport, energy and infrastructure interconnectivity; circular economy and sustainable development in the Baltic and Benelux countries; interconnected education systems and mutual recognition of qualifications in the Baltic and Benelux states.

The main goal for cooperation between both organisations is to promote deeper European integration, expansion of welfare, political consensus and economic stabilisation and development.

To read more about the Benelux Parliament, visit www.beneluxparl.eu

Joint documents

• Common Declaration on Parliamentary Cooperation, 18 November 1994, Hague (download)
• Decision of Priorities for Cooperation for 2006 (download)
• Common Declaration of Parliamentary Cooperation, of 23 March 2007 (download)
• Decision of Priorities for Cooperation for 2008-2009 (download)
• Decision of Priorities for Cooperation for 2009-2010 (download)
• Decision on Priorities of Cooperation for 2011-2012 (download)
• Decision of Priorities for Cooperation for 2015-2016 (download)
• Decision of Priorities for Cooperation for 2017-2018 (download)
• Decision of Priorities for Cooperation for 2019-2021 (download)
• Decision of Priorities for Coopearion for 2022-2023 (download)

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