Brussels, 09/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - Organisations representing the English regions held a seminar on 30 November in Brussels on the theme “The English regions - Delivering jobs and growth”.
“Is it really important to become the most powerful knowledge-based economy in the world?”, asked the President of the Lisbon coordination group of the EP Joseph Daul. In his view, the answer is “no”, but at the same time there is a need to react to all the things which sap our economies with concrete actions, such as achieving the internal market, developing the knowledge-based society with qualified people, encouraging innovation, containing the brain-drain, taking account of the ageing population and adjusting social standards at European level. “Europe and Brussels need regional representatives to accelerate the process. In particular there is a need for more exchange of good practice (…). We need to learn from each other”, said the MEP (PPE, France). “Competitiveness and the global economy are at the forefront of our concerns, and we want the UK to be part of a prosperous Europe in which the regions are important”, declared the UK minister for industry and the regions Alun Michael, appealing for “a proactive industrial policy which faces up to structural changes through innovation and competition” and for “the development of open and competitive markets”.
On the occasion of this seminar, the President of the network of English regions David Smith presented a new publication entitled “English Regions, Delivering Jobs and Growth”, which shows how the British approach to development and economic planning can contribute to the renewed Lisbon Strategy objectives. (Information: jon@linstockcommunications.com)