Saarland Expands France Strategy to Strengthen Cross-Border Ties

The updated plan aims to deepen cooperation with France and the francophone world while addressing regional economic and cultural integration.

The Saarland Landtag has approved a modernization of its decade-old France Strategy, emphasizing broader themes beyond language learning.
Key initiatives include increasing bilingual daycare centers, introducing French in schools from the first grade, and exploring a French-speaking university campus in Saarland.
The strategy, dubbed 'France Strategy+,' expands its focus to the global francophone community, targeting areas like economy, mobility, energy, and security.
Critics have highlighted ongoing barriers to cross-border collaboration and called for less bureaucracy in areas like the labor market and transportation.
Saarland's new observer status in the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie is expected to facilitate partnerships with African and Canadian francophone regions.