Brussels, 19/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Opening a conference which was held in Katowice (Poland) on 15-16 September, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, who is responsible for regional policy, has expressed his support for the 13 trans-national cooperation programmes in Europe. The commissioner voiced his support for trans-national cooperation, which he described as a “precious tool” for European integration and cohesion. Hahn encouragingly stressed that the proposals of the Commission - which is currently in negotiations with the member sates and European Parliament - were favourably disposed towards the cohesion policy, quoting the example of €12 billion earmarked for cross-border, trans-national and inter-regional cooperation. These 13 programmes, which are funded by the European Regional Development Fund, focus on challenges which go beyond national and regional borders within the EU, such as the management of environmental risks, international trade, research and transport, with the aim of improving the standards of living in the European regions.
Additionally, the 270 members of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) met in Banja Luka (Bosnia-Herzegovina), to discuss ways in which the regions can help each other to get out of crisis. The representatives of the regions focused in particular on the financial instruments set in place by the European institutions to support their development and stressed the importance of making sure that these tools match the priorities of the regions. (MD/transl.fl)