Together with the partners of the ARIEC Antwerp and the Taskforce-RIEC Brabant-Zeeland, EURIEC organised an expert platform between several Brabant and Antwerp border municipalities. The purpose of the meeting in Essen was twofold: first, a physical acquaintance between the employees of the different border municipalities, and second, to discuss best practices and recent developments in more detail. We discussed, for example, the Breda municipality pilot projects on the Hazeldonk-Meer business park and the possible development of a Directorate of Integrity Assessment for Public Administrations (DIOB) in Belgium.
The expert platform proved its added value by allowing staff from the other municipalities to get to know each other and learn from each other’s experiences. Therefore, we will organise the next consultation platform again in about six months. We will discuss cross-border issues at a smaller meeting should they arise in the meantime. EURIEC thanks all participants in the expert platform, and especially the municipality of Essen, for making the council chamber available. In addition, thanks also to the ARIEC Antwerp and the Taskforce RIEC for your pleasant cooperation!