AACHEN/EYNATTEN - One of the largest semi-official German associations is extending its organization to the territories of neighbouring states. The "Sozial Verband VdK" has founded the VdK Local Association of Euregio East Belgium which is affiliated to the VdK District Association in Aachen (Germany) as its thirteenth local branch.

The "Sozialverband VdK (Association of War and Service Casualties, the Disabled and Pensioners of Germany) was founded in 1950 and has about 1.2 million members. It plays an important role in German health and social politics. It works with many advisory committees and commissions of several German ministries and federal authorities.

"INTEGRATION" INTO GERMAN STRUCTURES

In East Belgium the "Sozialverband VdK" is now campaigning for the incorporation of local associations and similar organisations into German structures ("Networking and integration"). The expansion of the VdK into the Kingdom of Belgium has taken place in close agreement with the German-speaking, East Belgian, Social Democrats who started a campaign years ago for "autonomy of the German-speaking community". (Note that the "Left wing" Social Democrats in this and other ways are more nationalistic than the Right. See for example anti-Semitism among Schroeder advisers - see Fascist Europe Rising page 56 - and support of Sudeten Germans - see same book chapter 4, RA)

EXPANSION TO THE NETHERLANDS - EUREGIO MAAS-RHEIN

The "Sozialverband VdK" plans to found a local branch in the South Netherlands this year, which will also be incorporated into the German organizational structure. The next target is the expansion of this German association throughout the whole area of Euregio Maas-Rhein. Like other European Regions, Maas-Rhein is co-ordinated by the Team of European Border Regions ("Arbeitsgemeinschaft Europaeische Grenzregionen" - AGEG). AGEG is a known front organisation of the Berlin Foreign Office but is funded from Brussels by other means.

NOTES (see previous articles)

1. East Belgium: Agitation for autonomy by German speakers Reunion with Germany "no misconduct"*
2. With regard to Euregio Maas-Rhein see also "Spatial ordering" around Aachen and "Using the potential of neighbours"*
3. AGEG Background Report; Team of European Border Regions*

* In German on www.german-foreign-policy.com

SOURCES

Cross-border lobbying for the sick, disabled and pensioners. VdK now also has presence in Belgium; netecho 10/4/03