The Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Yuriko Backes, responded to a parliamentary question raised by Democratic Party (DP) MP Marc Hansen, confirming the Luxembourg government had sought further explanations from Walloon authorities, particularly regarding the implementation and modalities of the vignette in the border region.
Backes said the Government did not intend to question Belgian sovereignty with regard to traffic policy, but rather to highlight the particularities of the Greater Region, as well as the risks and consequences of such a vignette for cross-border workers.
There are also concerns of a negative economic impact on commerce in the Greater Region. Traffic could shift to smaller roads, raising further concerns for the Luxembourg authorities.
The government has proposed the idea of a border zone without the obligation for a vignette. Also highlighting the necessity to assess if the Belgian toll plans are compatible with EU law.
Backes also stated that Luxembourg is in contact with the French, German and Dutch governments to discuss the impact of the Belgian vignette plan.
