A Revival of the Benelux?

In: Osterreichische Zeitschrift fur Politikwissenschaft, Band 32, Heft 1, S. 7-17

Abstract

Since the mid-1990s, the Benelux seems to have received new impetus, not as an international organization but as a form of closer cooperation among its three members in the framework of the EU. Through a series of memoranda on the further development of the EU & on more specific topics such as Justice & Home Affairs, they have tried to steer the process of European integration in the direction of a further deepening. By joining forces they try to have more impact & to better defend the interests of the smaller member states. Good personal relations at the highest political levels have played an important role in the forging of the links. The closer relations are however not the beginning of a "menage a trois." The cooperation is primarily taking place at the highest levels (prime ministers) & is organized in a very pragmatic & flexible way. The cooperation is furthermore far from all-encompassing & there continue to be important economic, cultural, political divergences among the three. The cooperation is also not exclusive but part of a broader strategy to develop networks in the EU. 30 References. Adapted from the source document.