Benelux
The Benelux in Europe
☑️ This element is an expansion of the content of Lawi's courses, guides, tools and other solutions. It offers facts, commentary, and analysis on this European topic. Do you like what you read? Like and share it with your family and friends so that others can discover it too. If you have been forwarded this element, please subscribe here. The five institutions of Benelux work independently but serve the same purpose which is to promote and deepen cooperation between the 3 countries. Benelux General Secretariat is the central pillar of cooperation. It manages the secretariat of the Committee of Ministers Benelux, Benelux Council and the various committees and working groups. It allows to build bridges between the different partners. With the entry into force of the Treaty of Union Benelux in 2012, the Benelux governments have confirmed their willingness to cooperate together. This treaty provides a set of new tools to get results together. The first step was the joint work program 2013-2016 in which the Committee of Ministers established the seven areas of activity in which governments work closely together: energy, environment and territory, social cohesion, economy and knowledge, mobility, security and movement of persons as well as fraud prevention.
Some Goals of Benelux
Contribute to the creation of a single market in public procurement
Procurement is of considerable economic importance both nationally and internationally and represent a significant share of the national gross domestic product (GDP). The modernization of the policy of the European Union procurement (revision of Directive 2004/17/ EC and 2004/18/ EC and adoption of a directive on concessions) is an opportunity for synergies and coordination of implementation measures within the Benelux. To avoid distortion of competition, the Benelux countries work together during the implementation phase of future guidelines.
Optimize the telecommunications market and homelessness across the Benelux
The European Commission has submitted in 2014 a proposal for an EU regulation which sets the regulatory principles and other rules deemed necessary for the completion of the European internal market for electronic communications, including the removal of roaming charges. This Regulation was entered into force after its adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers of the EU. In anticipation of negotiations within the European framework of this proposal, it may be useful to share knowledge and explore opportunities to adopt common positions in the Benelux.
Coordinate ADR consumption
In order to prevent any obstacles to cross-border enforcement of consumer law, the Benelux countries share early measures transposing Directive 2013/11 / EU on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes (RELC). Liberalization of cross-border road transport - Container 45 feet European regulations limit the longer and heavier road transport and currently prohibits, for example, cross-border road transport of large shipping containers with a length of 45 feet. However, Article 350 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union allows the Benelux countries to go further than the EU in achieving their domestic market. The aim is therefore to finalize the consultation started in 2013 by a ministerial decision allowing cross-border transport of these containers of 45 feet between the Benelux countries.
Removing leaf green route
EU rules allow the removal of the green leaf highway, a document of European control for occasional international transport, particularly between two neighboring countries. This will reduce the administrative burden for both the industry and the authorities. The objective is therefore to finalize the consultation started in 2013 by a ministerial decision that will remove the green sheet for road traffic intra-Benelux, while ensuring that effective control is possible.
Cooperation of inspection services for road transport
Europe has an extensive range of road transport regulations. The enforcement of this regulation, however, remains a national competence resulting in a negative dispersion for the sector. The purpose of the consultation is to further harmonize intra-Benelux control of compliance with EU legislation on road transport. Cooperation between the inspection services of the three countries will also realize the benefits of scale. Supplemented by a periodic action plans treaty should provide the instruments.
Liberalization of domestic rail passenger
The European Commission has made proposals, particularly as regards the liberalization of domestic rail passenger. For operators of small countries such as the Benelux countries, the consequences can be significant. Benelux consultations on the matter is the coordination of viewpoints.
Develop a strategy for customs cooperation
Customs cooperation was at the origin of the Benelux Union. The European Union has granted extended powers in the matter and legislating in this area since the introduction of the Customs Code of the Union. Benelux wishes to organize a biennial dialogue involving officials competent leaders. During these meetings, the positions on European policy will be harmonized and guidance will be given to Benelux projects such as transit without paper or cross-booking support.
Movement of persons
The Benelux Treaty of 17 June 2008 confirms the objective of the Benelux Union to further develop the free movement of people, which implies that the security problem lies more in the territory of the Benelux countries. Differences in police and judicial approaches to crime phenomena in our three countries are prompting more and more criminals, organized or not, to operate in the border areas. The three Benelux countries have already invested heavily in a coordinated police cooperation and cooperation in crisis management on the basis of the Action Plan Senningen. This plan of approach and the Treaty of border policing of 8 June 2004 among others allow the police to carry out cross-border operations and investigations. The Benelux Union wishes to deepen this cooperation and by streamlining initiatives to make it more effective. Safety is a priority on the political agenda of the Benelux countries. The political authorities have yet confirmed at the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of June 6, 2013 with the approval of the action plan include Senningen "2013-2016." Operational cooperation thrust of the police and justice will certainly Benelux countries to strengthen the fight against cross-border crime phenomena such as metal theft and trafficking in human beings. This cooperation not only result in increased deployment of available resources, but also save resources and personnel whose Benelux countries have to deal with cross-border crime. Benelux Treaty Police provides that the Contracting Parties shall assist each other, including in the maintenance of public order and security. Training and exercises that are organized for these units maintain public order provide a better understanding of each language and to better understand the vision and involvement of everyone in the maintenance of public order. Luxembourg argues for a revival of this type of exercise, especially in view of the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU in 2015.
Legal and Judicial Cooperation
An important goal is to encourage cross-border cooperation within the prison Benelux Belgium and Luxembourg explore opportunities for cooperation in the enforcement of penalties penitentiary institutions of the three Benelux countries.
Support regional initiatives in cross-border legal assistance by the Benelux
Benelux support initiatives which, within the existing legal framework and according to the national policy of the three countries, promote cross-border legal assistance, such as the Office euregional cooperation (BES).
Improving cross-border exchange of electronic acts a vital exchange of electronic acts extracts
Vital constitute a significant improvement in administrative burdens for citizens. Belgium, Luxembourg and France intend to use the platform of the International Commission on Civil Status (ICCS).
To Modernize the procedural law in Benelux
The Benelux Court of Justice is the judicial body that ensures the uniform application of law Benelux. In 2012, it was decided to expand the powers of this Court. The ratification process of the treaty change is underway. In 2014, a new settlement procedure was presented to reflect the expansion of the powers of the Court.
Fraud Prevention
Offset outstanding debts with the application of VAT refund
A procedure for automatic compensation of refund VAT in other Member States with non-performing loans in the Member State of establishment will increase the revenue collected by the state in the form of recoveries and withdrawals. This procedure is tested throughout Benelux before considering access to the European scene.
Clarify the tax treatment of trusts and hybrid legal structures
Legislative frameworks are used to adapt the Belgian law on the use of trusts and other international legal forms hybrids for tax purposes: Belgium is inspired by the late Netherlands.
Deepen administrative cooperation in tax information Exchange
Since the exchange of information is the basis to improve the fight against fraud, the three countries want to study the possibility of enhancing the exchange optimizing the provisions of Regulation 904/2010 and Directive 2011/16 / EU. High-priority information will be shared more quickly and efficiently and the opportunities offered by the European texts will be used to the maximum.
See Also
The Benelux Court of Justice Benelux General Secretariat of the Benelux Economic Union Benelux Interparliamentary Consultative Council Benelux Office for Intellectual Property
Benelux History
Collective name given to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, who work together as a regional economic group