Belgium and Netherlands boost rail links with new cross-border projects
Faster rail connections between Belgium and the Netherlands are on the way, improving travel and trade for commuters and businesses. New projects like the 3RX line and a Ghent-Terneuzen freight link aim to enhance accessibility and economic ties across borders.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Countries Involved | Belgium, Netherlands |
| Key Projects | 3RX connection, Ghent-Terneuzen rail freight link, Brainport Eindhoven-Brussels |
| Signatories | Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Belgium), State Secretary Thierry Aartsen (Netherlands) |
| Location of Signing | Antwerp |
| Next Steps | Framework agreement to be signed summer 2026 |
| Stakeholder Involvement | Regional parties, rail infrastructure managers |
| Focus Areas | Accessibility, safety, military mobility, economic ties |
The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management oversees national and cross-border infrastructure projects, ensuring efficient and safe transport networks. Belgium’s Ministry of Mobility, Climate, and Ecological Transition collaborates on these initiatives to strengthen regional connectivity and economic growth.
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Read the full translated article below
Intensified cooperation between Belgium and the Netherlands in rail sector
Belgium and the Netherlands will intensify their cooperation in the rail sector. The aim is to accelerate a series of rail projects, including the 3RX connection, a rail freight link between Ghent and Terneuzen, and the development of connections between Belgium and North Brabant (‘Brainport Eindhoven-Brussels’). Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition, representing Belgium) and State Secretary Thierry Aartsen (Infrastructure and Water Management, representing the Netherlands) signed a joint declaration on this in Antwerp.
New challenges in a rapidly changing world require swift action, according to the signatories. The joint declaration states that geopolitical and geo-economic relations are evolving rapidly. This calls for greater cooperation in areas such as accessibility, safety and military mobility.
Belgium and the Netherlands already collaborate on strengthening cross-border connections. The task now is to further develop the potential of cooperation between the two countries and remove any remaining obstacles. Both parties therefore want to intensify this cooperation and give it a new impetus. This will enable challenges to be addressed more effectively.
State Secretary Thierry Aartsen: “The world is changing rapidly. Strong cross-border cooperation is therefore of strategic importance – both economically and militarily. And as a traveller, you should be able to travel easily to another country. We are now giving a new impetus and acceleration to cooperation between Belgium and the Netherlands in the rail sector. This declaration is a fantastic first step in that process. It contributes to the new cabinet’s commitment to further improve the accessibility and safety of our country in an international context.”
Minister Jean-Luc Crucke: “Our cooperation with the Netherlands has always been constructive, but sometimes lacked ambition. Today, we want to breathe new life into it so that we can strengthen our ties and accelerate the development of safe and efficient cross-border rail connections.”
Broad focus on projects
Belgium and the Netherlands will intensify and accelerate existing cooperation by actively working on a number of key rail projects. They will also look closely at how to better utilise the economic ties between the border regions.
The two countries will work more closely together to improve not only connectivity but also the capacity of cross-border rail lines. In addition, new connections such as 3RX and the rail freight link between the port of Ghent and Terneuzen will be considered. Attention will also be given to new connections between the Dutch provinces of North Brabant and Limburg and Belgium. It has been decided, among other things, to study a connection between Brainport Eindhoven and Belgium (Brussels). Both countries also want to achieve greater alignment on increasing capacity for cross-border military mobility and improving the resilience of the rail network.
To ensure these projects are successfully completed, both countries have agreed that the responsible ministers will meet at least once a year. These meetings aim to monitor the progress of the projects. This will be supplemented by half-yearly meetings of the Belgian-Dutch working group, in addition to meetings between the experts of each rail project. Belgium and the Netherlands intend to sign a framework agreement this summer, including a series of rail projects.
Involving stakeholders
The agreements build on existing cooperation and rail agreements between Belgium and the Netherlands from 2022. However, intensifying cooperation will require additional effort and, where necessary, deeper content. It has therefore been agreed that, where relevant, regional parties and rail infrastructure managers will be involved in the approach.