50th anniversary banner: “50 years, Connected across borders”, with the Belgian, German and Dutch flags at the tripoint

50 years of cross-border cooperation

In the tri-border region of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. In 2026, the Euregio Meuse-Rhine will pay tribute to all those who work for our border region and bring it a little closer together every day.

Discover our history

Connected across borders, the anniversary celebration

On 27 October 2026, from 14:00 to 17:00, at the Landcommanderij Alden Biesen, Bilzen-Hoeselt (Belgium).

View in the events calendar

Save the date: Connected across borders, 27 October 2026, 14:00-17:00, Landcommanderij Alden Biesen, Bilzen-Hoeselt

The programme

Moderation: Greet Samyn

14:00 | Welcome and exhibition
Arrival and welcome of guests with refreshments, as well as a visit to the exhibition “50 years of Euregio Meuse-Rhine”

15:00–15:10 | Opening
Welcome address and opening of the 50th anniversary ceremony
Interviewer: Jos Lantmeeters, President of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine

15:10–15:15 | 50 years of Euregio Meuse-Rhine – retrospective
Back in pictures: 50 years of cross-border cooperation

15:15–15:35 | Main speech: "So close, yet so different"
Cultural differences and commonalities between the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany
Interviewer: Dr Ute Schürings

15:35–15:45 | The Euregio today – a cooperation that is bearing fruit
An overview in images of projects and emblematic successes of cross-border cooperation

15:45–16:10 | Roundtable: "From the present to the future"
How can the Euregio Meuse-Rhine serve as a model region for cross-border cooperation in Europe over the next 50 years?

Participants at the roundtable:

Andreas Bollenbach, Police Chief of Aachen – Security and Cross-border Police Cooperation
Francis Cloth, Zonenkommandant of the Help and Support Zone DG– Civil Protection and Cross-border Crisis Management
Bernard Vanheusden, Rector of UHasselt – Education and Research
Michelle Habets, Mayor of Plombières – Einstein Telescope and regional development
Britta Mulleners, Strategic Manager – Team General Management, POM Limburg
Paul Heuts, Program Manager and Co-Coordinator, Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL – BE – DE) – European and cross-border cooperation through Interreg

16:10–16:30 | Vision of the future for the Euregio Meuse-Rhine
From energy and research to innovation and societal cooperation: perspectives for a common Euroregional future
Interviewer: Guy Vekemans, EnergyVille

16:30–16:45 | Symbolic act: "Ready for the next 50 years"
The political representatives of the five partner regions are looking together to the future of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.

16:45–17:00 | Closing remarks
Participants: Michael Dejozé and Matthias Kindel

From 17:00 | Networking and reception
Exchange of snacks and drinks, with the possibility of visiting the exhibition.

Fifty years of cooperation, field by field

What do cross-border security, cross-border mobility, cross-border education and a Euregional labour market have in common? No idea? It was the Euregio Meuse-Rhine that, at some point, made all of this possible.

Discover, field by field, the cooperation that has grown out of these fifty years.

Security: EMRIC/EPICC

Mobility: Euregional Coordination Office at the Aachener Verkehrsverbund

Education: Euregio Profile Schools

Labour market: Border Information Points

Nature and landscape: Three Countries Park - Open space without borders

Testimonials

What our partners say

For its fiftieth anniversary, the Euregio Meuse-Rhine asked its long-standing partners for their view of the cooperation.

Dr Oliver Vogt Managing Director, EuregioKultur e.V.

The EMR is committed to the region and its people and, through its work, enables and promotes cooperation across borders and languages.
Giulia Stroink Programme Manager, EMRIC

Up to twice a day, ambulances and fire brigades cross the border in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine. In this form, that is quite unique in Europe.
Dominik Elsmann Euregional Coordination Office, Aachener Verkehrsverbund

Our cooperation with the EMR has long been based above all on mutual trust, on open and straightforward dialogue, and on a willingness to support one another and share our own expertise.

What’s on in 2026?

We are celebrating diversity, and this is also reflected in the various events of 2026!

Every event is unique: find the one that suits you in our events calendar!

View all events

In pictures

Experience the diversity of Euregional events in pictures

A selection of photos from past events that stand out because of their theme or importance, and which showcase fifty years of cross-border cooperation in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine.