Brussels, 13/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the European Commission adopted a communication intended to establish a political dialogue that it hopes to establish more systematically with the associations of regional authorities on development of its policies. Meetings will be organised around the presentation of the Commission's annual work programme as well as major initiatives in the context of policies that have a direct or indirect regional impact. The communication mentions an annual meeting with the President and/or Vice-Presidents of the Commission, and ad hoc meetings with Commissioners responsible for themes that are of interest to local and regional authorities. The Communication also examines the choice of discussion partners, and notes that the Committee of the Regions is best placed for helping to identify associations that are interested in the different policies and to propose, for each meeting, lists indicating European and national associations adapted to the themes under discussion. The Commission specifies that these meetings will complete and not replace contacts that already exist.
Commissioner for regional policy, Michel Barnier, stressed on Tuesday the need for more regular, more organised and more political dialogue that truly enriches the Commission's proposals. The Commission had published a working document in March 2003 to prepare this communication, which was followed by public discussions.