On 28 May 2024, the Lille Metropole Management Committee met at the offices of the Lille Metropole Permanent Delegation to the European Institutions in Brussels.

This meeting provided an opportunity to meet several of our partners in Brussels, including the Hauts-de-France Region and the Free State of Thuringia (Germany). It was an opportunity to discuss the role of the delegations: anticipating the European Commission's future programming while promoting key local priorities to the European institutions.

The members of the Management Committee then met also the Port of Brussels' General Management, Mr Gert Van der Eeken (Managing Director) and Sylvain Godfroid (Communications Manager). During a discussion at the Port of Brussels, a large number of issues common to the Brussels-Capital Region and Lille Metropole were addressed, in particular the port-city relationship, land management, nature in the city, the cohabitation of different uses and the problem of the last kilometre.

Then, thanks to a boat tour of the port area, we were able to see first-hand the challenges and implementation of the Port's three main missions. The Port is responsible for:

- Regulating water to prevent flooding;

- Revitalising the area around the Canal by attracting economic activities, particularly those focused on the re-use and recycling of materials;

- Managing port facilities: a 14.4 km waterway/canal, 5.6 km of industrial quays and 2 km of maritime quays, 2 locks and 23 bridges.

Thanks to the holding of such meetings in our premises in Brussels, the relationship with European and Brussels partners is further strengthened. New initiatives both transversal and thematic will soon be organised.