Until now there was no talk of cultural and sporting events hosted by two border territories. Until now, relations with Luxembourg have focused on very specific themes mixing employment, the economy, mobility mainly with State-to-State decision-making. Moreover, when we think of negotiations with Luxembourg's neighbor, a decisive moment comes to mind: the holding of the intergovernmental conference (IGC) where everyone tells each other what they expect from the other. And things are moving. Teleworking of cross-border workers is a good example. But the methodology is changing. Gradually, the State is no longer the only intermediary.
Communities – at least on the French side – are taking their place at the negotiating table, notably through the birth of the Metropolitan Border Pole (PMF) which brings together eight public cooperation establishments (EPCI) from Moselle and Meurthe-et-Moselle: Portes de France -Thionville, Val de Fensch, Longwy, Arc Mosellan, Cattenom and surrounding areas, Pays-Haut Val d'Alzette, Heart of Pays Haut and Lorraine Land of Longuyonnais. And who intends to weigh well. On the Luxembourg side, the equivalent exists with Pro-Sud [si ce n’est que ce sont des villes qui sont représentées et non des communautés de communes] but does not yet have its place in the IGC because the multitude of decision-makers is much less complex: there are the cities and there is the State. An asset that can also be a disadvantage.
“Links with Luxembourg often go beyond protocol. »
Pierre Cuny, mayor of Thionville.
Pierre Cuny wants to make sure he can count on both. As soon as he has the opportunity, he recalls the extent to which Thionville must be considered as a city open to Europe and it is therefore quite natural that he wishes to associate Luxembourg with different territorial projects. Thus, Luxembourg politicians are becoming more and more present at the Thionville inaugurations and links are being created. “ The link with Luxembourg has existed since the mandate of Anne Grommerch who was herself a border resident. Links that often go beyond protocol”underlines Pierre Cuny. He cites Serge Hermes, Pierre Gramegna, Xavier Bettel but also thinks of the former mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette, Georges Mischo with whom he has established a solid friendship since 2022, to the point of taking part in the launch of his campaign in January 2023. Together, they chose to renew the twinning of their cities in 2022, confirming that initiated in 2011 under Bertrand Mertz “during which nothing had been activated”.
Common destiny
The two men got to know each other, to work on three common areas (academic, cultural and sporting) going so far as to imagine hosting an ATP Challenger 75 tournament alternately between France and Luxembourg. The project has come a long way since it is expected in March 2025 at Spot in Thionville. And if Pierre Cuny can secure the support of the Minister of Sports of Luxembourg who is none other than Georges Mischo, he must test the waters again on the side of his successor in the town of Esch-sur-Alzette. It is now Christian Weis who is in charge and the elected official does not seem as sensitive to sporting issues.
The fact remains that during their first meeting after congratulating him on his election, Pierre Cuny made sure that he wanted to continue the work started. On this point, Christian Weis reassured him and other meetings are planned between the two elected officials. “I'm not worried. We are two mirrored cities with a common destiny”says Pierre Cuny, serene. Subject to the ATP confirming the dates, the second edition of the new tennis competition should be held in Thionville while waiting for Esch-sur-Alzette to finalize its work to host it in 2027. An event for which the Luxembourg tennis federation tennis is of keen interest according to the president of the Moselle Open, Yves Henri.
But that is not the only sporting ambition. Indeed, Thionville would welcome a joint stage of the Tour de France with Luxembourg and Sarrebourg. In view of the latest editions, the neighbor could be expected to launch the Tour in the coming years and pass through Lorraine. The fact remains that all this is still just speculation. But there is a lever that Thionville has its hands on, it is culture and its Politéia festival of ideas initiated in 2022. It does not forbid anything, so why not imagine tomorrow, a festival of ideas that goes beyond the borders to talk about Europe, for example.
