Minister-presidents Bourgeois and Laschet want to realize a breakthrough in the Iron Rhine issue, they agreed at their first meeting on 20 February in Brussels. It was Armin Laschet, the new Minister-president of North Rhine-Westphalia, first official visit to our country.
In January, the results of the study of three possible routes for the Iron Rhine were announced. The so-called 3RX route that runs from the port of Antwerp via Roermond and Venlo (The Netherlands) to the German city of Viersen was positively assessed. Both Laschet and Bourgeois wish to use this momentum to force a breakthrough for the Iron Rhine issue. At the moment both are in discussion with their federal colleagues and are working hard towards a Letter of Intent on the Iron Rhine with all parties involved in March.
Flanders and North Rhine-Westphalia have maintaining close ties for a long time. The port of Antwerp is an important logistical gateway for many companies from North Rhine-Westphalia and there is close cooperation in the chemical industry. In 2015 the Governments of North Rhine-Westphalia and Flanders organized a joint government session in Düsseldorf. Bourgeois and Laschet have now agreed that there will be a sequel this year. This time the joint session will take place in Brussels.
Watch the press conference below.
General Representation of the Government of Flanders in Germany