Brussels, 24/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - After 14 years as secretary general of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), Xavier Gizard is giving up his post. “My departure is aimed to ensure that the organisation and mobilisation of CPMR resources will continue throughout negotiations on European policies over the next decade, after the new European Commission takes over and the Parliament is set in place as a result of the June 2009 elections”, Mr Gizard said a few days ago.
The CPMR underlines in a press release that, under Xavier Gizard, the CPMR has: - gone from 80 to 160 member regions in 13 years; - played an active part in safeguarding an ambitious regional policy during the two periods of multiannual budgetary programming, 2000-2006 and 2007-2013; - taken part in the birth of an integrated European maritime policy; - contributed to continuing the state aid scheme for the regions and to the enhanced recognition of the role of regions and towns, as well as the principle of territorial cohesion in the draft constitutional treaty; - and has taken part in strengthening the action of regions in European development policy and in confronting new global challenges such as climate change, the food crisis and globalisation.
The CPMR policy bureau calls for applicants to succeed Mr Gizard. For further information: http://www.crpm.org (G.B./transl.jl)