Brussels, 13/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - Negotiations on the financial perspectives 2007-2013 are proving tricky. In order to emphasis their impact on the regions of Europe, the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) has just published a book entitled "Objective 2009: a giant leap for Europe, one small step for the regions". This book, based on CPMR experience and proposals, will be presented in Brussels, in the offices of the region of Tuscany, by the President of the CPMR and of Tuscany, Claudio Martini, on Friday 21 January. The session will be attended by the Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner. Representatives of regional and local circles from States which are net contributors to the community budget will take position on the subject. Copies of the book will be available in French, English, German, Spanish and Italian.
In his preface, CPMR Secretary General Xavier Gizard states that "2005 will speak volumes about the nature of the European Union and its evolution". During this year, the European citizens are called upon the ratify the draft constitutional treaty, and the 25 will set orientations and the financial envelope for their actions for the period 2007-2013, Mr Gizard points out, asking: "What credibility will the regions of Europe use to recommend that their fellow citizens approve a text promoting cohesion and proximity if, at the same time, the budgets to come will deprive the Union of the resources it needs to put these principles into practice?". "The enlarged Europe needs an ambitious territorial cohesion policy guaranteeing all territories the opportunities for fair development, phase out national boundaries, to make Europe into the world's number one economy", writes Xavier Gizard, who adds: "A Europe which does not have the means it needs, with re-nationalised instruments for action, would be counter-productive. It will lead to demoralisation and will endanger efforts started 50 years ago".