Following the welcome address by the mayor of the municipality of Bedburg-Hau and vice-chairman, Mr Stephan Reinders, Andreas Kochs, secretary of the Euregio Rhine-Waal, explained the activities and structure of the Euregio Rhine-Waal.
The ensuing discussion and exchange were very interesting and demonstrated that cooperation within the European Union cannot be taken for granted. Even though the countries are so far apart, it was clear to everyone that – as was so beautifully emphasised during the welcome speech – contact between people forms the basis for a peaceful society. Border regions, such as the Euregio Rhine-Waal and those in Oman, are unique places where different cultures, languages and systems of government come together.
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Mr Wouter Smit, from the municipality of Duiven and a former municipal councillor and Euregio councillor, for organising this unique exchange with the delegation from Oman.
