Brussels, 07/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - A conference, sponsored by the Italian Presidency, is taking place on 7 and 8 November in Catane, to promote the extension of the European higher education area to the whole of the Mediterranean region, the Presidency has stated. This approach comes within the efforts being made by the EU to develop human resources and promote understanding between different cultures and bring different peoples closer together in the Euro-Mediterranean region. In concrete terms, the initiative aims to promote, in liaison with the activities already carried out by the European Union, the creation of a Mediterranean network of advanced training and research institutes in sectors considered to be a priority for the different countries, in close collaboration with the Centres of Excellence for higher education in Europe.