Brussels, 19/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - "The Italian Centre for Information and Documentation on Europe is now a reality. Before the end of the year, the Italian government and the European Commission will sign the acts enabling its creation, this is what announced the Commissioner for Education Viviane Reding and the Italian Minister for Community Policies Gianni Mattioli after a meeting last week in Rome.
The aim of the Italian government and the European Commission is to very quickly offer Italian citizens a structure that would contribute to the quantitative and qualitative development of the release of European information. The Centre will ensure, in particular the function of coordination of all operators in the field of European information and documentation in the aim of favouring the creation of an integrated national system. The Centre will pay special attention to the world of schools, university, organisations close to youths and the disadvantaged categories and intends to promote specialised information on the EU policies, the programmes and the procedures for participation, aimed at companies, financial operators and retailers and NGOs.
Commenting on this action, Mrs Reding indicated that President Prodi and herself where decided to establish the centre as fast as possible "even in a founding States such as Italy, where public opinion is greatly in favour of the European building process, the precise and sure information on the programmes and activities of the Union are insufficient". Also adding: "It is necessary that this work of information is carried out in close cooperation with the Member States and the regions.