The Sambre-Avesnois Sud-Hainaut cross-border assembly brings together 16 local authorities and local public organizations. The objective is clear: promote the development and attractiveness of the cross -border living area.
For Belgium we find:
• The Walloon Region
• The province of Hainaut
• The city of Charleroi
• The city of Mons
• The city of La Louvière
• The city of Thuin
• IGRETEC
• And the intermunicipal of economic development and the development of the heart of Hainaut (Idéa)
For France:
• The Hauts-de-France region
• The North Department
• The Maubeuge agglomeration community
• The Val de Sambre
• The municipalities of the Pays de Mormal
• The municipalities of the heart of Avesnois
• The municipalities of South Avesnois
• The city of Maubeuge
• And finally the city of Jeumont.
The official installation of this cross-border assembly took place in the town hall of Maubeuge, an opportunity to seal this Franco-Belgian agreement.
“This is the implementation of a long work of three years,” says Bernard Baudoux, president of the Maubeuge-Val-Val- agglomeration of Sambre. We have tried to set a certain number of strategies, projects in order to be able to work all together. This tool will serve and will be relevant so that we can each advance more quickly in certain files, certain projects. “
Concrete projects already underway
The construction of this cooperation involves various workshops devoted to the common challenges of the two territories, which share societal and historical similarities. Several projects are already launched.
In terms of mobility, a project is already on rails, the revival of Paris-Brussels trains via Aulnoye-Aymeries and Mons.
Like the major project of the RN54, its extension has been on the table for several years.
“The cross -border assembly was an important partner for the RN54 file, says David Lavaux, provincial deputy (the commitments). The participants convinced the Walloon government to take over the file, because it is not normal for a 2×2 band road to stop at the edge of the border! The decisions have been taken at the level of the Salon Government, now there is a process. Completed and therefore once real estate operations are done, the Walloon government will be able to put the necessary budget to finally finish this road. ”
Also in health, a workshop on the creation of a cross -border access area to care is under discussion. Culture side, the Interreg project Henriette aims to develop common hikes and walks between the two regions. For Charleroi, this is an opportunity to relaunch the event Destination Terils IIto enhance the Franco-Walloon mining arch. It is the inter -municipal Igretec which is in charge of the project.
Following this agreement, other Franco-Belgian meetings are planned to address the themes of employment, training and the environment.
