Cross-border workers will undoubtedly shudder when listening to this news … France and Luxembourg signed this Tuesday, in Strasbourg, a “border alert plan” to better coordinate the security forces of the two countries in the event of “high intensity“, like a terrorist attack or a nuclear or chemical accident. Objective: to restore the border”almost waterproof“, in the words of the prefect of the Grand Est, Josiane Chevalier.
Lessons from November 13, 2015
It is the flight of Salah Abdeslam on November 13, 2015, but also the various attacks in France, Belgium and Germany in recent years, which have led to this reflection: in the event of a major crisis, our borders are porous and may allow criminals to take cover quickly. French law enforcement alone cannot control all vehicles and monitor all roads.
If this “border alert” plan is activated, after a event in border area, the police, gendarmerie and customs of our two countries will therefore work together to close the border and carry out the necessary operations, without waiting to know the precise circumstances of what happened.
Agreements concluded with Belgium, others to come with Germany and Switzerland
The Grand Est region is the only one in France to have borders with four countries : Belgium, the Grand Duchy, Germany and Switzerland. A first text came into force, moreover, at the beginning of November, between France and the Belgian provinces of Namur and Luxembourg. Agreements must also be concluded with the Länder neighboring Moselle and Alsace, as well as with Switzerland.
This “border alert” plan will come into effect on January 1st.