European Union News - Regional Policy

The Conference took place at a crucial point in relations between the two rims of a strategically important region for an enlarged European Union. The Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean, launched at the Paris Summit on July 13th, 2008, reflects the renewed commitment by all the partners to enhance dialogue and cooperation between the European Union and other Mediterranean rim countries. Three major issues were at the Agenda: a progress report on the partnership’s new concrete projects and their implementation, precisions on the new type of governance introduced by the Union for the Mediterranean, and political dialogue on the regional situation.

The second call for projects under INTERREG IVC Programme was launched on October 27th, and will remain open until January 30th, 2009. All 27 Member States are eligible, as well as Norway and Switzerland. Priorities are mainly focused on two issues: innovation and the knowledge economy, and environment and risk prevention.

EU Commissioner for regional policy, Danuta Hübner, announce on November 3rd, the launch of a major on-line consultation on the EU's future strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The main aims of the strategy are to improve the environmental state of the Baltic Sea, to support balanced economic development in the region, and to make it more accessible and secure. Member States, regional and local authorities, NGOs, inter-governmental bodies and the general public are invited to put forward their views on the strategy December 31st, 2008.

The European Commission has presented the annual report of the Instrument for Structural Policy for Pre-Accession (ISPA) 2007 [SEC(2008)2681] COM(2008)671 final (27/10/2008)

A new Call for proposals under 2009 work programme of the 7th EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities has been published on the 28th October 2008 at the Official Journal of the European Union with 38 Meuros budget.

The Workshop aims to provide key information about the Agency’s activities and services. At the same time, the event will also serve as a valuable forum for discussion about important issues pertinent to the successful implementation of the TEN-T programme by all stakeholders on the 3 December 2008 (8:45 - 17:15) at the Centre Conference Albert Borschette in Brussels.

The European Commission has published on the 17 october a Communication Addressing the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss SEC(2008) 2618  - 17.10.2008 where it is analyised the sources of funding.

The EC has published on the 20th October 2008 the 19th Annual Report on Implementation of the structural funds.

Following the 19th Annual Report on Implementation of  the structural funds (2007) - COM(2008) 659 final presented in accordance with Article 45(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds 356 Meuros were decommitment from Structural Funds in 2007.

The Welsh Assembly Government host the European auditors annual meeting in Cardiff.

The European Commission marks the first anniversary of the Integrated Maritime Policy by reviewing the concrete progress achieved to date, where major new initiatives in areas as varied as border surveillance, sustainable tourism, maritime transport strategy, climate change, marine and maritime research strategy, or maritime governance have been achieved. After this period, the Commission plans to launch a number of new policy initiatives in the coming months which will also make an immediate, tangible difference to the way our oceans are managed.

The European Commission has presented a Communication to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee of the Regions, published in the OJEU on October 9th, 2008, encouraging the participation of Local Authorities on a European and national level, to engage in development policy and implementation. The Communication highlights the significance of this emerging dimension of development, build on the recent evolution in aid architecture, and put forward the need to develop a strategic approach at the EU level.