Border between Netherlands and Belgium adjusted

On Monday the Neterlands and Belgium signed a border treaty in which a part of what was formerly Belgium now falls under the Neterlands and vice versa. The reason for the adjustment was the unclear situation in the area around the Maas between Eijsden Margraten in Limburg and Wezet in Belgium, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday.

The uncertainty in the area led to problems in maintaining public order. Engieering work on te Maas and the normalizing of the river led to a number of small islands growing on both the Netherlands and Belgium's side of the river. One such island, for example, was very difficult for the Belgian police to reach and turned into some form of sanctuary for that reason. The new border treaty puts that island under the Nehtelrands, whose police can reach it much more easily.

The treaty was signed by Minister Bert Koenders of Foreign Affairs and his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders at the Royal Palace on Amsterdam's Dam square on Monay. Reynders called it "perhaps unique" for two countries to adjust a common border without conflict and war. "Perhaps that is only possible between the Netherlands and Belgium", he said, according to AD.

"This unique border treaty is an example of our excellent cooperation with the Belgians", Koenders said. "We showed today that the Netherlands and Belgium can succeed as good neighbors in adjusing borders in a peaceful way."

This formed part of a three day state visit by Belgian royals King Filip and Queen Mathilde to the Netherlands.