Editing Benelux (section)

== Benelux pilot projects 2025 ==

=== Activities since 2008===
Benelux seeks region-to-region cooperation, be it with France and Germany ([[North Rhine-Westphalia]]) or beyond with the [[Baltic States]], the [[Nordic Council]], the [[Visegrád Group|Visegrad]] countries, or even further. In 2018, a renewed political declaration was adopted between Benelux and North Rhine-Westphalia to give cooperation a further impetus.

The Benelux is particularly active in the field of [[intellectual property]]. The three countries established a Benelux Trademarks Office and a Benelux Designs Office, both situated in [[The Hague]]. In 2005, they concluded a treaty establishing the [[Benelux Office for Intellectual Property]], which replaced both offices upon its entry into force on 1 September 2006. This organisation is the official body for the registration of trademarks and designs in the Benelux. In addition, it offers the possibility to formally record the existence of ideas, concepts, designs, prototypes and the like.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boip.int/wps/portal/site/home/ |title= Entrepreneurs &#124; Benelux Office for Intellectual Property|website=www.boip.int |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604163837/https://www.boip.int/wps/portal/site/home/ |archive-date=4 June 2015}}</ref>

Some examples of recent Benelux initiatives include: automatic level recognition of diplomas and degrees within the Benelux for bachelor's and master's programs in 2015, and for all other degrees in 2018;<ref>{{Cite web |title=oÉcrsroru du Comité de Ministres Benelux |url=http://www.benelux.int/files/4815/1721/2154/M20181_FR_.docx.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926083232/http://www.benelux.int/files/4815/1721/2154/M20181_FR_.docx.pdf |archive-date=2018-09-26 |url-status=live |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=benelux.int |language=fr}}</ref> common road inspections in 2014;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trait_Benelux_inspection_du_transport_routier |url=http://www.benelux.int/files/5414/1457/2528/Trait_Benelux_inspection_du_transport_routier.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408024606/http://www.benelux.int/files/5414/1457/2528/Trait_Benelux_inspection_du_transport_routier.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-08 |url-status=live |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=benelux.int |language=fr}}</ref> and a Benelux pilot with digital [[consignment notes]] ([[CMR Convention|e-CMR]]) in 2017;{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} a new Benelux Treaty on Police Cooperation in 2018,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Traité entre le Royaume de Belgiqu€, le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg et le Royaume des Pays-Bas en matière de coopération policière |url=http://www.benelux.int/files/6615/3258/9333/2018-07-23_Verdrag_Politie_NL-FR_signe.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826150205/http://www.benelux.int/files/6615/3258/9333/2018-07-23_Verdrag_Politie_NL-FR_signe.pdf |archive-date=2018-08-26 |url-status=live |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=benelux.int |language=fr}}</ref> providing for direct access to each other's police databases and population registers within the limits of national legislation, and allowing some police forces to cross borders in some situations. The Benelux is also committed to working together on [[climate change adaptation|adaptation to climate change]]. A joint political declaration in July 2020 called on the European Commission to prioritise cycling in European climate policy and Sustainable Transport strategies, to co-finance the construction of [[cycling infrastructure]], and to provide funds to stimulate cycling policy.<ref name="BN">{{cite web |title=Benelux :: Benelux countries take the lead in stimulating European cycling policy |url=https://www.benelux.int/nl/webinar-benelux-bike-declaration/benelux-countries-take-lead-stimulating-european-cycling-policy/ |website=www.benelux.int |access-date=1 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Benelux Countries Take the Lead in Stimulating European Cycling Policy |url=https://www.dutchcycling.nl/en/news/blog/benelux-countries-take-the-lead-in-stimulating-european-cycling-policy |website=Dutch Cycling Embassy |access-date=1 February 2022 |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Sam |title=View from Brussels: Bicycles and the post-virus silver bullet |url=https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2020/07/view-from-brussels-bicycles-and-the-post-virus-silver-bullet/ |website=eandt.theiet.org |publisher=E&T |access-date=1 February 2022 |date=16 July 2020}}</ref>

On 5 June 2018, the Benelux Treaty celebrated its 60 years of existence.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.diplomatmagazine.nl/2018/06/03/a-60th-anniversary-for-the-benelux-union/ |title=A 60th anniversary for the Benelux Union |date=3 June 2018 |first=Alain |last=de Muyser |work=Diplomat Magazine |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224113403/http://www.diplomatmagazine.nl/2018/06/03/a-60th-anniversary-for-the-benelux-union/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2018, a Benelux Youth Parliament was created.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

In addition to cooperation based on a Treaty, there is also political cooperation in the Benelux context, including summits of the Benelux government leaders. In 2019 a Benelux summit was held in Luxembourg.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.benelux.int/files/9415/5427/7383/20190402_Decl_Benelux_Summit_EN_Final.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722121503/http://www.benelux.int/files/9415/5427/7383/20190402_Decl_Benelux_Summit_EN_Final.pdf |archive-date=2019-07-22 |url-status=live |title=Benelux Prime Ministers' Summit |location=Luxembourg |date=2 April 2019 |access-date=31 August 2021}}</ref> In 2020, a Benelux summit was held – online, due to the COVID-19 pandemic – under Dutch Presidency on 7 October between the prime ministers.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.government.nl/documents/diplomatic-statements/2020/10/07/joint-declaration-benelux-summit |title= Joint Declaration Benelux Summit |date=2020-10-07 |agency=[[Ministry of General Affairs]] (Netherlands) |access-date=31 August 2021}}</ref>

As of 1 January 2017, a new arrangement for NATO Air Policing started for the airspace of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg (Benelux). The Belgian Air Component and the Royal Netherlands Air Force will take four-month turns to ensure that Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) fighter jets are available at all times to be launched under NATO control.

===Cooperation with other geopolitical regions===
The Benelux countries also work together in the so-called [[Pentalateral Energy Forum]], a regional cooperation group formed of five members—the Benelux states, [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Austria]], and [[Switzerland]]. Formed on 6 June 2007, the ministers for energy from the various countries represent a total of 200 million residents and 40% of the European electricity network.

In 2017 the members of the Benelux, the [[Baltic Assembly]], three members of the [[Nordic Council]] (Sweden, Denmark and Finland), and all the other countries [[Member state of the European Union|EU member states]], sought to increase cooperation in the [[Digital Single Market]], as well as discussing social matters, the [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union]], [[Immigration to Europe|immigration]] and defence cooperation. Foreign relations in the wake of [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russia's annexation of Crimea]] and the [[Turkish constitutional referendum, 2017|2017 Turkish constitutional referendum]] were also on the agenda.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.err.ee/603573/ratas-meets-with-benelux-nordic-baltic-leaders-in-the-hague|title=Ratas meets with Benelux, Nordic, Baltic leaders in the Hague|last=ERR|date=22 June 2017}}</ref>

Since 2008 the Benelux Union works together with the German Land (state) North Rhine-Westphalia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benelux + |url=https://www.benelux.int/en/information-for-citizens/benelux/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Benelux |language=en}}</ref>

In 2018 Benelux Union signed a declaration with France to strengthen cross-border cooperation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Benelux |url=https://www.benelux.int/en/information-for-citizens/benelux-union/about-us/history/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Benelux |language=en}}</ref>