Baarle
Cross-border cooperation
The atypical situation of Baarle provides daily opportunities for fueling exchanges between the inhabitants and local authorities. In different aspects linked to the binational contours of the conurbation, cooperation appears even indispensable. Cooperation was formalized on 21 April 1998 with the creation of the Baarle Common Organ (Gemeenschappelijke Orgaan Baarle – GOB) which enables joint decision-making on issues of common interest, such as policing, waste collection, the cultural centre, the library etc. The project for merging the two municipal fire brigades into a single Belgian-Dutch brigade illustrates this convergence of interests.
In the past, the inhabitants of Baarle benefited from the specific geographical situation of their town to arrange better regulations for construction of their houses, as well as a more advantageous tax system. The proximity between the two tax and regulation systems can thus be seen as an asset.
The enclaved character of Baarle is also beneficial to the development of tourism, since many visitors are curious to discover this singular town, where a border can be crossed so unexpectedly.
