While the two governments plan shortly to send out into the world the first joint trade mission, the cooperation will rest heavily on the marketing of Dutch and Flemish ports to major overseas users, such as China. Not that the plan will bring an end to the stiff competition between Antwerp and Rotterdam. “We will continue to compete,” said Peeters, “but we will compete smartly: that means cooperating where possible, and competing where we have to.”

“We want to let the Chinese know that their cargoes have to be delivered to the delta region. Whether that means Antwerp or Rotterdam is of secondary importance,” Rutte added.

The joint trade mission has yet to find a date or itinerary.

However one of the major stumbling blocks to a current issue of Flemish-Dutch cooperation remains on the table. During their meeting last week, the two leaders, together with their respective mobility ministers, agreed that the Netherlands will contribute €142 million to the construction of a new deep sea-lock at Terneuzen. At present, the final price-tag has not been calculated, and it is expected that Flanders' share will be considerably larger. Although Terneuzen is in Zeeland, the lock is of prime importance to the harbour of Ghent, joined to Terneuzen by a canal.

The sticking point remains the Dutch insistence that Flanders pay Dutch VAT on top of the bill, something Flanders is refusing to do. A final decision is expected in October.