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Em. prof. dr. S.W. COUWENBERG, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam Benelux Manifest: As the 1958 Benelux Treaty gets close to its 2008 expiry date, it is imperative that we consider the future of this alliance. From an economic point of view, the European integration has superseded the Benelux. However, from a political one, there is a new role in the future for the three concerned countries. Indeed, there is a new task at hand: to create an alliance within the ever-expanding European Union and to form a close political team which would enable the three partners to act as one political entity in the dealings with the European Union and, together with other small member-states, to counterbalance the politics of large member-states. Unless we establish such a Benelux, we will increasingly play second fiddle within the Community as constantly forewarned by the former Belgian P.M. Leo Tindemans. The Benelux countries must be able to speak as one voice as soon as the question of power heads the agenda of the European Union as repeatedly stressed by the Euro Commissioner Frits Bolkestein. As such, our joint voice will have obtained as much political weight as those of the bigger member-states. In an expanding EU, it is of particular importance that collaboration among the Benelux countries is intensified and that more strategic issues would be addressed. The Benelux must take the lead in the merging of political forces and thus inspire other small member-states to follow suit. Existing structures for dialogue, such as those between the Scandinavian Countries and also within the Visegrad group, must be strengthened further. With this manifesto, the undersigned are taking the initiative for calling on the governments of Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg to take the necessary steps in order to establish the political and legislative conditions for replacing the current, mainly economically focuses Benelux with a political one. The Benelux Countries occupy a unique geopolitical position in Europe. Our ports are the junctions of European trade and energy supply. Benelux is the fourth strongest European power. It was in the Low Countries, with their free cities, that already in the early middle-ages, the base of our modern democratic system was founded. It was Benelux that inspired the founders of the EU when they signed the Treaty of Rome. A consolidated Benelux could one again play a pioneering role within the European Union. By doing so, they will achieve a status that, for once, will not be based on political, military or economic power, but on the creation of future-focused solutions with regard to the unification of Europe. Therefore: BENELUX = EUROPE = UNITY IN DIVERSITY Addendum: "Now that it looks like the new Benelux treaty will be ratified by the various parliaments, it should be executed in optimal and full conditions. The management of the "New Benelux Committee" will, in accordance with the spirit of the manifest, look on to this and, if and when required co-operate with organisations who pursue comparable objectives."
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