Madeira (Portugal), 02/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, on the island of Madeira (Portugal), the work of the General Assembly of the Conference of the Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) was opened under the chairmanship of Claudio Martini (Tuscany region). Work will continue on Thursday and Friday and will be essentially devoted to: 1) the place of the regions in European construction; 2) the preparation of a European maritime policy; 3) and the participation of regions in maritime security bodies. A debate will also be devoted to the general theme of the future of European construction. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will speak on Friday before approval of the final declaration and resolutions.