Cross-Border Relations

 

Cross-border relations have never been better, stimulated by the application, on 1 June 2004, of the bilateral agreement covering the free movement of people. Although it is true to say that given their potential, commercial exchanges are still somewhat modest – with 1.25 billion euros, Switzerland ranks as only the 7^th trading partner of the Rhone-Alps – they are showing constant improvement. This trend can only strengthen, given the number of projects in preparation or implementation. For example: the programme of economic and territorial development covering the Golden Rectangle (the Franco-Geneva region) that is moving from a feasibility study phase to one of operational preparation (www.crfginfo.org/projets/rectangle_or/index.html). Operation Biopark at the Porte Sud (south gate)of Geneva that aims to foster all types of Franco-Swiss cooperation in the Life Sciences or initiatives such as that of Frédéric Haehl (French wines/ the (re)conquest of Switzerland). Over and above commercial exchanges, there is a complete battery of information artillery moving into place with the establishment of the Trans-border Statistical Observatory whose objective is to monitor the bilateral agreements (www.statregio-francosuisse.net) or the creation of “Trans-frontier Houses” (www.frontalier.com/page.htm?_ref=275 that will provide information on such topical themes as bilateral agreements, cross-border employment, social, legal and fiscal questions in the frontier region. Culture is also given support with the creation of “Transdoc”, a project of two audiovisual firms that is especially aimed at the promotion and diffusion of trans-border documentaries and the organisation of a forum during Lyon’s International Festival. Or that of the union of wine-growers and restaurant owners in a cross-frontier tourist project called “Chablais gourmand”. Who said that cross-border relations had broken down?