Brussels / Tampere, 29/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - Rather than be in opposition, northern Europe, the Baltic, and the southern area, the Mediterranean, have before them vast possibilities for cooperation and exchange of experience, say organisations from the two areas at the opposite poles of European territory (the Tampere Peace Research Institute, TAPRI Mediterranean Studies Project; the MEDA Institute, Tampere Polytechnic of Applied Sciences together with Finnish ministries; and IEMed, Institut Europeu de la Mediterrània). These organisations call for a conference to be held in Tampere (Finland) from 1-4 June 2008 on the theme: “ABaltic and MediterraneanB Shared Future in Action, A Euro-Mediterranean Gathering under the Midnight Sun”. The European Commission is invited to attend.
The conference in question would be a follow-up to seminars and conferences held since 2002 in Barcelona by IEMed, Generalitat de Catalunya, the Region of Gävle (Sweden), and TAPRI in order to consolidate the themes of cooperation and rapprochement between these “two maritime and territorial areas” which is “more important than ever before”. Their development depends on cooperation between themselves and with the EU. “Even if they are not similar, in so many questions and issues these two areas can only learn and benefit from the experiences, approaches and attempts for solutions in the other” and “their cooperation reinforces their capacities to achieve their individual and common goals”, TAPRI states. It is only together that the Mediterranean and European countries will be able to master their future in a globalisation context. Three areas of action are suggested: firstly, cultural, social and political aspects. Secondly, a theme which is becoming “increasingly important for us all”, namely the role and possibilities of science, research and innovation. And thirdly, emphasis is placed on the role and challenges of the economy, enterprise and regions in cooperation with regional and environmental players. (F.B.)