The Rhineland-Palatinate state government has reaffirmed its commitment to cross-border collaboration with France, emphasizing the vital role it plays in fostering regional stability and shared progress. State Premier Alexander Schweitzer, speaking at a meeting of the Franco-German Committee for Cross-Border Cooperation (AGZ), highlighted that tens of thousands of commuters, students and businesses already daily experience the benefits of European partnership. The government aims to fully leverage the potential of this cooperation to contribute to a strong and resilient Europe.
Discussions at the AGZ meeting centered on critical areas including crisis preparedness, innovative energy solutions and disaster relief mechanisms within the border region. Brigitte Klinkert, a representative from the Alsace region, presented a report detailing the specific challenges faced by residents living in border communities. A declaration of intent was also signed by representatives from both countries, formalizing collaborative efforts in the management and sharing of cartographic data.
State Secretary Heike Raab underscored the particularly significant role of Rhineland-Palatinate within the broader Franco-German partnership. Uniquely positioned as a state belonging to both the Upper Rhine and Greater Region cooperation frameworks, Rhineland-Palatinate is ideally placed to facilitate ongoing dialogue and joint action. The AGZ stems from the 2019 Treaty of Aachen and has previously enabled crucial agreements, such as those concerning collaboration between fire services in the border zone.