Baarle: The town where borders run riot

In Baarle, a town on the Belgian-Dutch border, national borders run through private homes, restaurants, cafes, museums and galleries.

But establishing the national borders did not make the situation in Baarle any simpler. On the contrary: Many streets, parks, car parks, shops, galleries and even houses were now part Belgian and part Dutch. To avoid constant arguments it was agreed that the nationality of a house's residents would be determined by the location of the front door.

"With talks, patience and, most of all, a great readiness to listen first, we mostly come up with a solution. You can achieve a lot by talking with those involved, thinking logically and being friendly," Frans de Bont, the mayor of Belgian Baarle, tells DW.

https://www.dw.com/en/baarle-the-town-where-borders-run-riot/a-57631603

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