They interviewed a bunch of different people. One Flemish person talked about the stronger Flemish economy...very low unemployment and generating money through high tech industries. The French part of the country has 20% unemployment he said.
Then a French person came on and said, "Well, part of the problem is that the Dutch people won't learn to speak French," and I thought, huh? I know you speak French, Fabienne, and you told me your older daughter will start learning it in school this year...a few years before they begin English lessons.
They did talk about the very distinct separation of cultures between the Flemish and French and said that there are very few things that are bilingual...no bilingual universities, for example. Although they did say that Brussels (which is in Flanders, ie, Dutch) is a bilingual city.
Correct me if I am mixing any of this up. It was early in the morning when it came on the news!
L