Brussels, 05/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - EU enlargement will pose new challenges to the regions of candidate countries, but also to those of the current Member States. After 2006, there could be far more regions having to finance innovation by their own resources. Also, the European Commission considers that the work of sharing experience and spreading good practice in regional innovation support measures must continue not only in the long-term members of the IRE network (Innovating Regions of Europe) but also in regions launching new Regional Programmes of Innovative Actions and the newcomers from accession countries. It is in this context that the third conference on the IRE network will be held in Stratford Upon Avon (United Kingdom) on 17 and 18 June. It should provide politicians and regional players with an opportunity to meet and to directly exchange experiences and ideas. During plenary sessions, the representatives of the host country and the European Commission will present the foundations and the guidelines of the regional innovating policy. The challenges and opportunities linked to the sixth Framework Programme for Research and Development and to the Structural Funds after 2006 will be analysed in detail in workshops organised in parallel. (Programme of the conference and information: http: //http://www.ire-event-stratford.co.uk ).