Editing Benelux (section)

=== 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.