16/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Slovenian Presidency of the Committee of the regions (CoR) will host the first meeting of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) expert group in Brdo on 17 January. The aim of the EGTC, which was set up in 2006, is to organise and manage cross-border, transnational and inter-regional cooperation among its members. The grouping is made up of member states, regional authorities, local authorities and/or bodies governed by public law. The expert group is made up of representatives of 40 regions from 23 countries. The aim of this meeting is to make preparations for an inter-institutional meeting on EGTC, which will be hosted jointly by the CoR, the Slovenian Presidency and the European Commission and which is scheduled to take place in Brussels on 19 June. (L.B.S.)