Editing Benelux (section)

== History ==
[[File:Benelux Conferentie 1e Kamer Den Haag. Opening rede Dr. W. Drees, Bestanddeelnr 903-2602.jpg|thumb|left|Meeting of Benelux delegates in [[The Hague]], 1949]]

In 1944, exiled representatives of the three countries signed the [[London Customs Convention]], the treaty that established the Benelux Customs Union. Ratified in 1947, the treaty was in force from 1948 until it was superseded by the Benelux Economic Union. The initial form of economic cooperation expanded steadily over time, leading to the signing of the treaty establishing the Benelux Economic Union (''Benelux Economische Unie'', ''Union Économique Benelux'') on 3 February 1958 in [[The Hague]], which came into force on 1 November 1960. Initially, the purpose of cooperation among the three partners was to put an end to customs barriers at their borders and ensure free movement of persons, [[Capital (economics)|capital]], [[Service (economics)|services]], and [[goods]] between the three countries. This treaty was the first example of international economic integration in Europe since the [[World War II|Second World War]].

The three countries therefore foreshadowed and provided the model for future European integration, such as the [[European Coal and Steel Community]], the [[European Economic Community]] (EEC), and the [[European Community]]–[[European Union]] (EC–EU). The three partners also launched the [[Schengen Area|Schengen]] process, which came into operation in 1985. Benelux cooperation has been constantly adapted and now goes much further than mere economic cooperation, extending to new and topical policy areas connected with security, sustainable development, and the economy. 
[[File:Benelux conferentie te Den Haag. De premiers van de drie landen vlnr. P. Werner, Bestanddeelnr 121-0413.jpg|thumb|[[Prime Minister of Belgium|Belgian Prime Minister]] [[Gaston Eyskens]], [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Dutch Prime Minister]] [[Piet de Jong]], and [[Prime Minister of Luxembourg|Luxembourgish Prime Minister]] [[Pierre Werner]] during a Benelux conference in [[The Hague]], Netherlands, on 28 April 1968]]
[[File:V.l.n.r. premiers Lubbers, Pierre Werner (Luxemburg) en Wilfried Martens (België, Bestanddeelnr 932-3952.jpg|thumb|[[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Dutch Prime Minister]] [[Ruud Lubbers]], [[Prime Minister of Luxembourg|Luxembourgish Prime Minister]] [[Pierre Werner]], and [[Prime Minister of Belgium|Belgian Prime Minister]] [[Wilfried Martens]] at the [[Ministry of General Affairs]], on 10 November 1982]]
[[File:Terras van het Catshuis.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Dutch Prime Minister]] [[Mark Rutte]], [[Prime Minister of Luxembourg|Luxembourgish Prime Minister]] [[Jean-Claude Juncker]], and [[Prime Minister of Belgium|Belgian Prime Minister]] [[Yves Leterme]] in [[The Hague]], Netherlands, on 24 May 2011]]
In 1965, the treaty establishing a Benelux Court of Justice was signed. It entered into force in 1974.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.courbeneluxhof.be/nl/hof_intro.asp|title=Algemene voorstelling van het Benelux-Gerechtshof|website=Benelux-Gerechtshof|access-date=2016-05-10|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210752/http://www.courbeneluxhof.be/nl/hof_intro.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> The court, composed of judges from the highest courts of the three states, has to guarantee the uniform interpretation of common legal rules. This [[international judicial institution]] is located in Luxembourg.

=== Renewal of the agreement ===
The 1958 Treaty between the Benelux countries establishing the Benelux Economic Union was limited to a period of 50 years. During the following years, and even more so after the creation of the European Union, the Benelux cooperation focused on developing other fields of activity within a constantly changing international context.

At the end of the 50 years, the governments of the three Benelux countries decided to renew the agreement, taking into account the new aspects of the Benelux-cooperation – such as security – and the new [[federal government]] structure of Belgium. The original establishing treaty, set to expire in 2010, was replaced by a new legal framework (called the Treaty revising the Treaty establishing the Benelux Economic Union), which was signed on 17 June 2008.

The new treaty has no set time limit and the name of the ''Benelux Economic Union'' changed to ''Benelux Union'' to reflect the broad scope on the union.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.benelux.be/en/act/act_nieuwVerdrag.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001023203/http://www.benelux.be/en/act/act_nieuwVerdrag.asp|url-status=dead|title=Benelux union|archive-date=1 October 2009}}</ref> The main objectives of the treaty are the continuation and enlargement of the cooperation between the three member states within a larger European context. The renewed treaty explicitly foresees the possibility that the Benelux countries will cooperate with other European member states or with regional cooperation structures. The new Benelux cooperation focuses on three main topics: internal market and economic union, sustainability, justice and internal affairs. The number of structures in the renewed Treaty has been reduced and thus simplified.

=== Some benefits of the Benelux cooperation ===

# '''Security and Emergency''' '''services'''
#* Thanks to the Benelux Police Treaty (2023), police forces can operate across borders, strengthening the fight against crime.
#* Ambulances and fire services can operate across borders, ensuring faster response times in emergencies.
# '''Recognition of''' '''diplomas'''
#* Higher education diplomas are automatically recognized within the Benelux, making it easier to work and study in another Benelux country. This prevents extra administrative costs and time loss.
# '''Economy and''' '''transport'''
#* The removal of administrative barriers, such as with digital freight documents, makes cross-border transport more efficient and cost-effective for businesses.
# '''Sustainability'''
#* The Benelux countries cooperate on energy transition and the circular economy, contributing to a sustainable and future-proof region.

The Benelux Union also serves as a testing ground for European cooperation. Initiatives such as diploma recognition and cross-border truck inspections set an example for further European harmonization.