Whensday: Union

Belgium and the Netherlands have long been at the forefront of what has become the European Union. The treaty of Brussels signed in March 1948 set up the Western Union, a military union of France, United Kingdom and the three Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) set up in September of the same year. In 1957 the Benelux, France, Italy and West Germany signed the treaty of Rome, creating the European Economic Community (EEC). Within this community they formed a customs union, making trade easier. 

The United Kingdom, Denmark, and Ireland joined the EEC in 1973. The first elections to a European Parliament were held in 1979. In 1981 Greece joined and soon after the Schengen Agreement made open borders possible. This meant that travel within the outer borders of Europe could be done without passports. 

I remember the first time that Shirley and I came to the Netherlands on campaign in 1981. A visit to (West) Germany meant a stamp in your passport. When I came to the Netherlands from 1982-84, some of the most interesting stories and experiences in my life were because of border crossings (ask me sometime about sleeping on the way to Switzerland). So when Shirley and I visited in 1987 to research returning to work with the church, it was interesting to see the changes. 

The European flag was adopted in 1986 and Portugal and Spain were added to the group. In 1990, as the Eastern Bloc was falling apart, East Germany was reunited with West Germany and was added to the community. By 1992 the 12 member states were ready to sign the Treaty of Maastricht (which came into force in November 1993). This treaty set in place the basis for the European citizenship, a single currency and common security policies. 

The single currency finally showed up formally in 2002, the Euro supplanting all the other currencies, like the guilder, the franc and the mark. We had moved to Belgium in 1991 and we remember vividly the ease that came with a common currency - not having to carry three different currencies because of where we live on the border. But it also meant that prices - of almost everything - doubled. 

Currently the EU consists of 27 countries. There had been 28, until the United Kingdom exited. There is quite a list of countries waiting to join the EU as well. To think that three little countries joining themselves in the Benelux showing that cooperation was useful could have been the start of such a union. 

Where oh Where Wednesday: Luxembourg

The Benelux is a combination of three countries: Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. All three countries together would be hard to find on a globe if you didn’t know where they were to be found (Northern Europe, between Great Britain, France and Germany). And yet these three countries economically were the foundation of the European Economic Union. The capitol city of Luxembourg is also one of the four institutional seats of the European Union (together with Brussels, Frankfurt and Strasbourg). 

Luxembourg is officially a Grand Duchy with connections to the Netherlands and produced several emperors of the Holy Roman Empire in the 14th century. This tiny country (less than 1000 square miles) with a population of fewer than 700,000 still carries its weight. They were a founding member of NATO and one of six founding members of the European Economic Community (which became the European Union). Luxembourgish politicians were founders of the EU, father of the Euro and presidents of the European Commission. 

Luxembourg was a stalwart of the steel industry until the decline of this industry in the 1970’s. It then became a global financial and banking hub. Since the 21st century the country has focused on developing into a knowledge economy, including a national space program. They were also considered a tax haven and were placed on a grey list of countries with questionable banking arrangements. 

Its central location, stable economy and low taxes make it a favorite for the telecommunications industry as well as students traveling in Europe. Back when I lived in the Netherlands, young people (under 26) could buy an Interrail pass to travel the rail lines throughout Europe. But you were not allowed to use the rail in the country you purchased the card. So everyone purchased the card in Luxembourg and could travel everywhere else. 

In Luxembourg the citizens speak Luxembourgish which is partially intelligible by those who speak High German, but it also includes at least 5000 words of French origin. As a Dutch speaker, I often wonder when I hear a Luxembourg tv station whether I am hearing Dutch, German or French. Yes. That is what I am hearing. 

Luxembourg is a beautiful place to visit, easy to reach (only about 1.5 hours from our house) and varied in every way. You can go hiking in the mountains, see cultural activities in places like Echternach or discover history in Luxembourg city. When we first moved to Belgium we even enjoyed visiting the Chi Chi’s which could only be found there (and it was the only place to find Tex-Mex and Mexican food).