Brussels, 04/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Europe will march to the tune of the regions during the week of 7-10 October, with the Open Days, when the cities and regions show themselves off in Brussels, under the slogan: “Europe's regions and cities taking off for 2020”. This 11th edition will offer not-to-be-missed debates on cohesion policy, only a few weeks before a vote on reform of this policy and months from the new planning period. The open days come, then, at a critical time for EU regional policy. Regional Development Commissioner Johannes Hahn said this year's open days “is the launching pad for how we invest and plan our funds over the next seven years”. He says he looks forward to “our discussion on how regional policy can help transform our cities and regions, making them more competitive, generating growth and creating jobs”. He will kick off the week with a round table discussion with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Committee of the Regions (CoR) President Ramon Luis Valcarcel. The CoR will hold its plenary session on 8 and 9 October. Debate will focus on cohesion reform. CoR members will also vote on opinions on the fourth rail package, plastic waste and schist gas. (MD/transl.fl)