According to a press statement from the government published on Friday, the higher education ministers of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg met in Brussels on Thursday night to sign the document.

The agreement ensures recognition of all levels of diplomas and degrees in higher education, with a specific focus on associate degrees and doctorates.

A previous agreement, signed in May 2015, guaranteed automatic recognition of masters and bachelors qualifications throughout Luxembourg.

“Thanks to this automatic recognition of the level of diplomas and degrees, the Benelux countries are removing a potential obstacle to go to study or work in one of the Benelux countries,” the government said, adding: “Similarly, this measure is likely to help facilitate the search for work in another Benelux country because of the better comparability of education levels and thus increases the chances of applying for a diploma or degree in an intra-Benelux context.”