Seville, 21/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The message presented in the French presidency's regional planning programme was part of the parliamentary debate on the Lisbon Treaty, and was conveyed in a video-message by Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the French secretary of state for European affairs.
Jouyet pointed out that the action plan adopted in the Azores is entering an active phase, and the Slovenian presidency of the Union, the Reform Treaty on regional cohesion, and the 4th report on cohesion were the subject of a broad consultation. He underlined that “progress on cohesion, the regional charter, the Charter of Leipzig and the future of cohesion policy is expected in the second half of the year”. The secretary of state also indicated that the Green Paper on regional cohesion would “clarify the cohesion concept and clarify its content”. France will be seeking to establish a link between cohesion policy and the strategy for growth and competitiveness, the fight against climate change and demographic changes. Mr Jouyet announced that: on 25-26 November there would be a joint meeting of regional and urban development planning ministers in Strasbourg; at the end of October there would be a symposium open to all regions about regional cohesion and the future of cohesion policy; on 26-28 November there would be a forum on “cities, places to live and places of respect”; in July, on the island of La Réunion, there would be a meeting on biodiversity. Jouyet also highlighted the importance of “Open Days”, an event organised by the Committee of the Regions, through which France “wants to benefit from the diverse and new experiences”. Mr Jouyet concluded that “France wants to display the cogency of this policy, whose integrating character has already been proved. It now has to be integrated into other polices and enhance our potential for innovation and research. It helps citizens see EU action more clearly”. (G.B.)