Exactly one year after the entry into force of a new Council Regulation setting up the EGTC, the Committee's Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER) and the region of Galicia are organising a debate to assess the scope of the new legal instrument, which is designed to facilitate the setting up and management of cross-border, transnational or interregional projects. A case study focusing on cooperation between authorities in the north of Spain and Portugal will be a key aspect of the discussion.
The event will be opened by Emilio PÉREZ TOURIÑO, a COTER member and President of the Xunta de Galicia, the autonomous regional government, and COTER chairman Sir Albert BORE.
Santiago GÓMEZ-REINO LECOQ, Secretary General for External Relations in Galicia and alternate member of the CoR, will moderate a discussion on the main questions regarding the development and implementation of the EGTC Regulation.
In a later session, Franco IACOP, Regional Minister for European Affairs, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Italy, will chair a debate on issues relating to the application of the law of the Member State where the EGTC has its registered office.
The seminar will comprise members of COTER, as well as representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission, Member States, regions, local authorities, academic institutions and experts in territorial and cross-border cooperation. Participants will use the opportunity to discuss experiences and share best practice prior to the EGTC inter-institutional conference scheduled for 2008.
The Committee of the Regions will also present its 2007-2008 work programme regarding initiatives for the European groupings of territorial cooperation. The CoR has already published a study on the EGTC, exploring its legal framework and highlighting the potential for territorial cooperation, and is in the process of establishing an EGTC Expert Group.
For more information on the EGTC, the CoR study and Expert Group, please visit: www.cor.europa.eu/egtc.htm.
EU Committee of the Regions
The Brussels-based Committee of the Regions (CoR) was established by the Maastricht Treaty in 1994 as a consultative body to provide representatives of local and regional government with a voice at the heart of the European Union. The European Commission and Council of Ministers are obliged to consult the CoR’s 344 members on proposed EU laws across a wide range of policy areas, including employment, transport and the environment. The assembly can also be consulted by the European Parliament.
For more information, please contact:
Estelle POIDEVIN : +32 (0)2 282 22 70, +32 (0)2 282 20 85, E-mail: Estelle Poidevin
Martin MALLON : +32 (0)2 282 20 33, +32 (0)2 282 20 85, E-mail: Martin MALLON