7.

How about cross-border cooperation between Flanders and Wallonia from the viewpoint of the intercity-network experience?

Here are the ingredients:
* complementary qualities of the constituent cities
* actual flows of persons, goods, services and information between them
* physical links of material infrastructure

* immaterial infrastructure, that is various forms of organizational links allowing for consultation and exchange of information

The criterion of complimentarity has already been covered. Actual flows and physical links are a matter of facts. Wat is really vital here is the immaterial infrastructure linking the two regions. A thorough diagnosis of the regards

croisés [1] is beyond the scope of this blog. The immaterial infrastructure revolves around groups of actors. Business firms, knowledge centers, and public authorities (including political parties) have to decide upon cross-border cooperation as a voluntary action. This is, no doubt, the weakest link. Should not the cooperation first be seriously discussed by Socialists, Christian Democrats, Liberals and Ecologists within each party among politicians from both regions?

Jacques Delors, faced with regional disparities within the EU, postulated the aim for solidarity (which is nowadays referred to as socio-economic cohesion).

At the end of the day, a cross-border cooperation between Flanders and Wallonia, too, is an act of solidarity. A narrowly defined Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) implies a refusal of what Ivekovic has called the vertical principle and 'father-figure' which enables to communicate with others over a higher office and to belong to it.