Belgium–Luxembourg Economic Union

The Belgium–Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) was an economic agreement between Belgium and Luxembourg, established in 1921. This union created a single customs territory, meaning both countries shared the same customs tariff and balance of payments.1

Following World War II, this union was expanded to include the Netherlands, forming the Benelux Economic Union. The goal of Benelux was to achieve complete economic integration by ensuring the free movement of people, goods, capital, and services. It also aimed for coordinated economic, financial, and social policies, as well as a common foreign trade policy. The Benelux Economic Union became a precursor to broader European economic integration, influencing the formation of organizations like the European Economic Community (EEC), now the European Union.231