Rhine-Alpine News
29.04.2026
EGTC 23rd General Assembly in Zwolle
© EGTC 23rd Assembly in Zwolle
On 16 and 17 April 2026, we held our 23rd General Assembly in Zwolle. The event was kindly hosted by our new member, the Province of Overijssel, and organised with the support of Logistics Overijssel. The Assembly brought together members from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and France to engage in strategic discussions on the future direction of the EGTC.
This meeting took place at an important moment for the organisation, following a period of internal transition that culminated in the appointment of the new Director, Marie-Eve Reinert. Building on this renewed leadership, members addressed key questions regarding the identity, role, and long-term positioning of the EGTC. These reflections follow a year of intensive work across the organisation, during which members contributed to defining its theoretical foundations and strategic scope. This process resulted in the publication of the EGTC Strategy 2025–2030, as well as the Action Plan 2026–2028, which outlines the concrete activities and priorities driven by the EGTC’s Working Groups.
Our new member, the Province of Overijssel, played a particularly prominent role throughout the Assembly. Notably, Regional Minister Erwin Hoogland was elected as the new Vice-Chair of the EGTC, succeeding Frederik Zevenbergen (Province of South Holland), who stepped down following his appointment as Mayor of Vlaardingen.
In addition to the formal sessions, the Province of Overijssel hosted an insightful and highly relevant workshop on its programme on National Security and Defence, including a focus on military mobility. This was followed by a lively discussion on how these themes could be further integrated into the future activities of the EGTC. Participants also had the opportunity to experience the region firsthand, enjoying a scenic journey along the river Ijssel, from the Hanseatic city of Zwolle to Kampen, highlighting the cultural and geographical richness of the Rhine-Alpine corridor.
The Assembly fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas. While important decisions were taken, several key questions remain open. Addressing these will be central to the EGTC’s work in the coming months. Stay tuned as we continue to build on these discussions and translate them into concrete actions and results.
Rhine-Alpine Talk #19: Urban Nodes at the Heart of the TEN-T Corridors
©Screenshot from the Webinar session (Ivo Cré, POLIS Network)
On 24 April, the EGTC Rhine-Alpine hosted its 19th Rhine-Alpine Talk, focusing on the role of urban nodes within the TEN-T network. The session brought together European, regional, and metropolitan perspectives on how cities can strengthen their function as key interfaces between local mobility systems and the trans-European transport network.
Moderated by Marie-Eve Reinert, and opened by Alina Candu, the discussion featured Robert Szűcs (European Commission, DG MOVE), who outlined the revised TEN-T requirements for over 400 urban nodes, including the adoption of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) by 2027 and the development of multimodal hubs by 2030 and 2040.
Our member Edwin Mermans (Province of Noord-Brabant) highlighted long-term cross-border cooperation with North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as initiatives such as SmartwayZ.NL and the development of a Strategic Action Plan drafted by the province to prepare for future EU funding opportunities.
Tommi Vollmann (Scandria Alliance) presented insights from the BSR Urban Mobility project, underlining that while SUMP uptake is widespread in the Baltic Sea Region, challenges remain in achieving modal shift, strengthening governance, and improving monitoring frameworks.
Our member, Dario Parravicini (Metropolitan City of Milan) shared a metropolitan perspective, emphasizing the complexity of mobility planning across functional urban areas and the need for stronger coordination, data collection, and stakeholder engagement.
Finally, Ivo Cré (POLIS Network) stressed the importance of improving the strategic positioning of urban nodes within EU governance and funding frameworks to ensure their effective contribution to the TEN-T network.
The Interregional Alliance for the Rhine-Alpine corridor EGTC was pleased to bring together such a diverse group of stakeholders, spanning from the Baltic Sea Region to Southern Europe, and looks forward to continuing and expanding this exchange in the future.
In Memory of Coen Mekers
We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Coen Mekers on 8 April, shortly after his 64th birthday.
Coen was closely involved in the EGTC Rhine-Alpine from its very beginnings, already during the CODE24 project, at the origin of what would later become the EGTC. Over many years, he played a key role in shaping the corridor, contributing with dedication, strategic insight, and a strong commitment to cross-border cooperation.
In his long-standing role at the Province of Gelderland, Coen was a highly experienced and respected professional in the field of mobility and transport. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he worked on a wide range of strategic initiatives, from infrastructure programmes and rail development to European mobility policy and cross-border cooperation. He was closely involved in shaping national and European discussions on transport corridors, TEN-T implementation, and sustainable urban mobility, and contributed to several high-level expert groups and policy processes. His work consistently bridged regional, national, and European levels, reflecting his ability to connect stakeholders and translate complex challenges into practical solutions.
Beyond his professional achievements, Coen was known for his open, approachable, and sociable character. Whether through his involvement in local communities, sports, or informal moments with colleagues and friends, he had a natural way of bringing people together. His kindness, sense of humour, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Coen will be remembered not only for his significant contributions to the EGTC and the wider mobility community, but above all for the person he was.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.