Assembly of European Regions

Connecting regions, inspiring Europe since 1985

You are here: Home / Archives for Mediterranean issues

This is the tag for all posts relating to Mediterranean issues.

AER supports female candidates in Tunisia and inaugurates its permanent representation

By


Tunis (TN), 19th September 2011

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) reaffirms its support for the decentralisation process and provides its expertise in the democratization process in Tunisia. A training seminar for Tunisian female candidates to the Constituent Assembly and the opening of a permanent representation to allow for a sustained presence close to the transitional authorities have marked two historic steps in its partnership with the country.

Striving for gender parity: a right and a duty

Michèle Sabban, AER President, has associated herself with the Tunisian Minister of Women Affairs to tackle the important challenge the country has set itself of applying the principle of gender parity at the upcoming elections for a Constituent Assembly on 23rd October. “The forward march of women is an incredible hope for the future. I wish to personally engage myself with them to help them to write this decisive page of Tunisia’s history” declared Michèle Sabban. “Women contribute with determination, courage and enthusiasm, beyond the difficulties they may encounter. The democratic representation cannot dispense of 50 % of its nation!”, she added.

At the two-day seminar, attended by around 40 female candidates representing more than 25 political parties, female representatives from AER member regions, and renowned Tunisian militants shared their personal experiences and views on the obstacles that women may encounter when trying to develop a credible candidacy and win over an electorate, and discussed how these could be overcome.

“The primary objective of this meeting was to prepare Tunisian women to tackle the numerous challenges they will encounter during their campaigns, but also, and perhaps even more so, once they will be elected. We have also discussed the contribution women can make to society and more specifically to politics, including how they can take an active part in civil society”, underlined Lilia Labidi, Tunisian Minister for Women Affairs.

AER reinforces its presence with the opening of a permanent representation

Created within the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tunisian Ministry of Regional Development, this AER representation, inaugurated today, is the first to be launched outside the European continent. “Our presence in Tunisia will allow us to support the country every step of the way as it implements a process of true decentralisation,” declared Michèle SABBAN. “This permanent representation will help organise exchanges and concrete partnership projects between the Tunisian regions and our members, such as better equipping young Tunisians to access the labour market by hosting them in European regions members of AER, ” she concluded.

“Guided by our desire to assist Tunisia in this historical transition it is undergoing, we have decided to partner up with AER and launch this permanent representation to facilitate the cooperation between European regions and the Tunisian governorates. It will be the link between the regions and help them develop decentralized cross-border cooperation projects to bring Tunisian regions to the European level,” added Sandro Fratini, Head of the AER permanent representation in Tunisia.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

AER and the Tunisian Ministry for Women organize a seminar for Tunisian women standing for election

By


Strasbourg (F), 1st September 2011

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) has established close ties with Tunisia since the events that took place in the beginning of the year and strongly supports the challenge the country has set itself in instituting the principle of gender parity for the next election of a constituent Assembly on 23rd October. As gender equality has constituted a pillars of AER’s action for several years, Mrs Michèle Sabban, AER President, has joined forces with Mrs Lilia Labidi, Tunisian Minister of Women’s Affairs, to offer AER’s experience to the Tunisian authorities. Together, they have decided to organise a training seminar for Tunisian female candidates.

In order to ensure that the principle of gender parity is fully respected in practice, this seminar aims to help Tunisian women fully and actively engage in the election campaigns and allow for them to share their experiences with their European counterparts, as several elected representatives of European regions will accompany Mrs. Michèle Sabban on this visit. Around 60 participants are expected to take part in the seminars held in Tunis on the 15th and 16th September, among which are renowned Tunisian militants Sihem Ben Sedrine and Radhia Nasraoui.

The programme in detail:
Getting started and getting engaged: the principle of gender equality put to the test of political engagement – What exactly does ‘gender parity’ mean? How do you become a candidate? How do you develop a support base and networks? What is the procedure to follow?
Confronting difficulties: overcoming resistance to change – Once you are an official candidate, you must then make sure you are a credible candidate with a real chance of winning.. How to earn a place within the constituency? How to set up a campaign and communicate with electors? What challenges should you expect and how to overcome them?
Engaging in public life as a woman: volunteering, NGOs and human rights, citizenship – Becoming an elected representative is not the only way to contribute to social and political life. This session will explore the obligations and opportunities deriving from the concept of citizenship and the ways in which women can contribute to associations such as NGOs.

Through this targeted training, AER hopes to contribute to increasing Tunisian women’s engagement in politics, but also to incite electors to seize the symbol of democracy that is the right to vote.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Reforms in Tunisia: Spotlight on the Decentralisation Models in Europe

By


Pescara, Abruzzo (I), 6th July 2011

The Assembly of European Regions (AER), together with the region Abruzzo (I) and the Italo-Tunisian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organised today a conference on the situation of regional democracy in Europe as follow up of its delegation’s visit to Tunisia last May. The positive aspects and the challenges related to decentralisation were at the heart of this meeting, providing European regions the opportunity to share their experience with Tunisian stakeholders. About 20 Tunisian representatives – members of government, entrepreneurs, NGOs – were present.

Today, while regions are a reckoned part of the European landscape and have acquired an increasing weight through time, it is more important than ever for them to learn from their counterparts. The conference thus aimed at exchanging examples of its members’ best practices. To this end, a panel of experts from AER member regions – Abruzzo (I), Catalunya (E), Dolnoslaskie (PL), Istanbul (TR) and Västra Götaland (S) – presented the state of play of decentralisation in their respective countries.

One conclusion of the day is that decentralisation should be at the core of Tunisian reforms. The Tunisian revolutionary movement, which originated in the country’s most disadvantaged regions, considered the establishment of local governments as a key issue that needs to be included in the new Tunisian constitution. Fully aware of the importance of regional development for Tunisia, AER decided to cooperate with the Tunisian authorities and living forces by exchanging European best practices and by providing them with relevant input on decentralisation reforms.

“Most European countries are decentralised and this strategy has proven its efficiency” stated Klaus KLIPP, AER’s Secretary General, adding that “empowering regions does contribute to more democracy, civic participation, innovation and economic development. Regional democracy should therefore be considered as a major pillar for the country’s reconstruction, which is why we consider it essential to work with the Tunisian authorities and to show them how regional governance can benefit the whole of the country and continent”.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

MORE4NRG final conference: It is time for results!

By


Almere, Flevoland (NL), 10th June 2011

For the last three years, MORE4NRG project has helped 11 European regions develop strategies that explore their energy potentials and improve their energy efficiency more effectively. The Assembly of European Regions (AER), as a project partner, contributed to the success of this initiative with its unique peer review methodology.

First step – Peer reviews: making assessment of regional energy policies

In the framework of the project, the energy policies of five regions including Maramures (RO), Western Greece (GR), Gabrovo (BG) and Prahova (RO) in 2009, as well as Abruzzo (I) in 2010, were reviewed by their counterparts through a series of tailored peer reviews, conducted under AER coordination.

“The outcomes of these audits are more than satisfying”; said Anne BLIEK, Chair of the MORE4NRG Monitoring Board and Deputy Queen’s Commissioner of the province of Flevoland (NL), adding that “ AER’s Peer Reviews undoubtedly played a key role in the project’s success. They allowed us to share our knowledge and to learn from each other. The regions that hosted peer reviews were offered the unique opportunity to identify their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to developing innovative energy policies. Our project has triggered a major change in their energy policy making, and I am happy to see how fast their energy landscapes are being transformed”.

Some concrete examples confirm this statement: Maramures is currently exploring the possibility of using satellite technologies in the field of biomass-based energy, Gabrovo has integrated a special chapter on energy efficiency into its regional development strategy while Prahova is preparing its regional energy action plan.

Second step – Exchange of good regional practice: the wheel does not have to be reinvented all the time

The project also highlights the regional diversity and creativity in tackling a huge variety of environmental challenges. More4nrg led to the identification of 33 good practices, with10 of them already in the transfer process. One of the most innovative examples originates from Västernorrland (S): the region has set up a snow storage system that helps cool down the local hospital during the summer period. As a result of this project, the electricity consumption has dropped from 450 MWh to 40 MWh.
The “Soap on tap” initiative, implemented by the Italian region of Lazio, encourages reductions in the use of packaging, and subsequently optimizes energy consumption linked to the production of paper, thanks to reusable washing detergent containers installed in the large-scale retail trade. The project is currently being implemented in the province of Flevoland. The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency in Western Greece created the Park of Energy Awareness. The aim is to offer citizens a chance to discover various forms of alternative energy sources and learn more about technologies used to produce clean energy. A similar Park should be created in Prahova, Maramures and Gabrovo to fill a gap in the ecological education system by providing concrete demonstrates that make it more practical.

More4nrg partners expect to continue their successful cooperation with a new INTERREG IVC project Regions4greengrowth, which will focus on energy investment opportunities and be subjected to the European Commission approval.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!

Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

The Assembly of European Regions and the Tunisian Ministry for Regional Development reach an agreement on regionalization and employment

By


Tunis (TN), 13th May 2011

At the heart of the Tunisian democratic transition, Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), and the Tunisian Minister for Regional Development, Mr. Abderrazek Zouari, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), in the presence of Mr. Said Aydi, Tunisian Minister of Vocational Training and Employment.

During two days, this new initiative, supported by a delegation of 20 regional politicians, heads of regional administrations and European entrepreneurs has given way to meetings and discussions with the authorities and civil society in Tunisia. “The challenge of this partnership is to support the growth of this new democratic Tunisia, and to fight the scourge of unemployment. We will quickly establish the conditions to welcome young Tunisian graduates, through internships, among our voluntary member Regions. Increased mobility, as well as the introduction of professional integration programs, will be essential for the country’s growth and development. We have not come here just to sign another protocol. There is an urgent need and we must quickly provide proposals and, hopefully, the beginnings of solutions” commented Michèle Sabban, during the signing of the protocol.

In order to ensure this initiative’s successful conclusion and prepare the next steps, AER will draw its inspiration from its past experiences in the field of mobility and professional education. AER has thus led the programme « Eurodyssey » for 25 years, which allows 600 young Europeans each year to acquire a first professional experience (from 3 to 7 months) abroad, independently from their field of study – the accompaniment and support being provided by the hosting region.

Beyond meeting with the partners involved in the future initiative, the delegation’s visit aimed at supporting the decentralization process which is currently underway in Tunisia. “In the reforms package which is to be implemented after the constituent of July, the reforms for the regionalization of territories will be a major challenge for the Tunisian economy’s reflection and the deepening of the democratic process”, underlined Mrs Sabban. AER has already proposed to share its knowledge and methods of work with the Tunisian authorities. Working groups gathering regional European politicians, representatives of Tunisian ministries, experts of the tunisian-european chambers of commerce as well as actors from the Tunisian civil society are to present their conclusions and recommendations by the end of June.

Next Monday, a gallerie photo will be available on the AER website.

*Members of the AER delegation: Michèle Sabban, AER President and Vice-President of Ile-de-France (F), Jean-Claude Gayssot, Vice-President of Languedoc-Roussillon (F), Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, Regional Councilor of Istanbul Provincial Council (TR) and President of AER’s ‘Culture, Education, Youth and International Cooperation’ Committee, Armelle Martin, Vice-President of Limousin (F), Pascal Mangin, Regional Councilor of Alsace (F), Antonio Sorgi, Director General of Abruzzo (I), Luis Simas Sousa Rocha, Director of the Observatory for the Employment and Vocational Training (Açores-P), Guylaine CHOUISSA, Head of European and International mobility for youth (Franche-Comté-F), Michel Prud’Homme, Deputy Director General for Personnel and Human Resources (Ile-de-France-F), David-Xavier Weiss, Head of European policies of the Regional Tourism Committee (Paris-Ile-de-France), Jean-Pierre Foubert, Head of International Relations (Languedoc-Roussillon-F), Marie-Laure Meyer, Managing Director for learning, vocational training and integration (Limousin-F), Daniel Haas et Dr Tyll Weber-Carstanjen, Entrepreneurs and Jean-Yves Delanoë.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

For European Regions, the opening of a satellite office in Turkey answers a necessity

By

On Monday the 4th of April, during a stop over in Istanbul, the President of the Assembly of European Regions and Turkish regions agreed on the opening of an AER satellite office in the Bosphorus

Istanbul (T), ‘ April 2011

While the slow opening of thematic chapters continues to delay the entry of Turkey into the European Union, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) proposed opening a branch in Istanbul, Turkey, following a meeting of the President of the Assembly of European Regions Michèle Sabban and key representatives of the Provincial Council in Istanbul.

“We are principally based in Strasbourg and Brussels, that is to say in the institutional heart of Europe, which is also the heart of old Europe. By opening an office in Istanbul, we are saying that we are on the side of the future as well” said Michèle Sabban. “No matter how long it takes for Turkey to join the European Union, our member Regions have been working for years in close cooperation with the Turkish Regions. As of today, AER counts seven Turkish members, the first region joining having been Kahramanmaras in 2006. From our perspective, there is absolutely no doubt that Turkey belongs to Europe and Europe needs Turkey today more than ever”.

The Istanbul satellite office, as the one AER opened in Alba, Romania in 2004, should enable easier working relationships with all the regions of Eastern Europe. AER took the opportunity to announce the opening of an AER office in Turkey during its second conference of the Black Sea in Batumi, Georgia, proving a strong commitment of European Regions to their neighbours of the Caucasus. 13 Turkish Regions made the trip to deal with issues of natural resource management and interregional cooperation.

 “After our last General Assembly which we held in Istanbul, we took full measure of the aspiration to be part of Europe that inspired our colleagues and Turkish counterparts. And what better place than the Bosphorus Strait to play the integrating role to those who wish to work together for territorial development and the deepening of local democracy in Europe?”, added Michèle Sabban.

By September 2011, AER Committees 2 (social policy and public health) and 3 (culture, education, youth and international cooperation) will also hold their plenary sessions in the new premises of the Provincial Council of Istanbul, opened in August 2010.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

“Wanted: Wonder women to clean up Golden Boys’ mess”

By


Valencia, Comunitat Valenciana (E), 22 September 2010

“It is important to avoid the recession being used, as is already the case in some Member States, as an argument for scaling back gender equality measures,” said Monica Carlsson, President of the AER Standing Committee on Equal Opportunities (SCEO), during a seminar on ‘Women and social policies at times of economic crisis’, which was jointly organized with the Comunidat Valenciana (E).

Regions can be innovative as well when it comes to social policies. The Comunidad Valenciana’s new Law on the Protection of Maternity, which acknowledges the unborn child as a member of the family, offers pragmatic, financial and social support for pregnant women. Family benefits, fiscal advantages, priority access to safe and affordable housing or school places are for instance offered as soon as the pregnancy is medically certified.

An international panel of specialists shared their insight on how the current economic crisis affects social policies (and, in particular, those concerning women) in European Regions. Participating regions confirmed that, as a result of the current crisis, the poor are getting poorer and the number of people living in poverty has increased. Women are particularly hard hit: female unemployment can be expected to rise even more as public sector budget cuts are implemented, since women are disproportionately employed in education, health and social services. In response, the SCEO members do not simply call for more benefits for women, but instead propose to focus on combating stereotypes in all walks and at all stages of life and empowering women to make the education, family and employment choices that are right for them.

As the financial crisis was literally man-made by Golden Boys in Wall Street, SCEO decided to encourage European Regions to take effective steps, notably through legislation, to encourage gender balance in corporate and political positions of responsibility, including on boards of directors, and in local and regional public institutions, administrations and organizations which should set an example. Binding targets are of course needed to ensure the equal representation of women and men.“We need to promote financial literacy among girls and women!” President Carlsson added. “We all agree that we need to get more women involved at all levels of decision-making, but I believe it is especially true in the areas of finance and budgeting, where they are by far under-represented.”

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

AER brings its expertise to the Albanian regions

By


Michèle Sabban highlights regions as important stakeholders for youth employment

Tirana (AL), 1st July 2010.

Michèle Sabban, AER President, came to Albania at the invitation of the United Nations Programme for Youth Employment and Migration (YEM).

Ms. Sabban was invited as a keynote speaker during a forum entitled “Youth Employment in Albania: Innovative approaches and financing mechanisms”. In this forum, policy makers, the private sector and partners discussed how innovative approaches – such as public-private partnership (PPP) – at the regional level could promote youth employment in Albania. The main objective of this event was to increase the awareness of the regions and public sector to improve their potential regarding youth employment in a country such as Albania, where fiscal decentralization is in its early stages. The event was attended by Presidents of all Albanian regions, as well as by stakeholders involved in the youth employment, such as the Albanian Ministers of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Youth and Home Affairs.

The visit of Ms. Sabban was the opportunity to officially launch the Regional Employment Fund of Shkodra in the presence of Gjovalin Kolomba, President of the Shkodra Regional Council. This fund is the first financial instrument in Albania enabling a regional administration to improve youth employment at the regional level: “We know that employment is the first social integrator. The effort to create this fund is really crucial since almost 46% of Albanian citizens are under 25 years old. AER has always valued entrepreneurship and youth participation in European affairs, particularly through its mobility program Eurodyssey and Youth Regional Network (YRN)” said Michèle Sabban.

Ms. Sabban stressed in the presence of all Albanian regional Presidents that AER would provide support and expertise for the future initiatives to give young people the place they deserve on the labour market. 11 out of 12 Albanian regions are currently members of AER: Berat, Dibër, Durrës, Elbasan, Gjirokastër, Korçë, Kukës, Lezhë, Shkodër, Tiranë and Vlore. “The establishment of this fund may provide a compelling argument in favour of the creation of a permanent fund for employment and social issues – like the EU structural or social funds that exist in many countries around the world”, she concluded.

Tomorrow the AER President will meet the President of the Republic of Albania, Bamir Topi. Together, they will discuss different regional models adopted in the AER member regions, as Albania is currently debating and reflecting about decentralisation. On this occasion Ms. Sabban will present to Mr. Topi the AER 2010 Regionalism Report.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Cultural tourism: small businesses and private initiatives

By


Durrës, Albania, 5 April 2009

Cultural Tourism is a locally-driven phenomenon that offers a unique opportunity to combine regional economic development with the preservation of regional culture and heritage. For these initiatives to be sustainable, however, the wider population needs to benefit from them.

That is why the Assembly of European Regions (AER) hosted a seminar in Durrës (AL) focusing on the practical steps that regions can take to support the creation of small and medium enterprises in cultural tourism.

Concluding AER’s series of cultural tourism seminars, initiated in May 2008, experts and around 100 representatives of regional authorities from across Europe exchanged ideas and best practices in the areas of SME-networks and entrepreneurial training in cultural tourism.

“Networks and the building of entrepreneurial clusters on the one hand and capacity building on the other are essential to the success of cultural tourism in a region”, said Prof. Alan Clarke (University of Pannonia) in his opening statement. “In the end, it is the uniqueness of the idea and the concept developed around it that will decide on the viability of a project.”

This series of seminars was only the first step in a number of AER activities in the field of cultural tourism. To ensure that tangible outcomes will result from this initiative, AER is planning to improve and extend its Tourism Network to include cultural tourism as one of its central topics. Once completed, AER member regions will be given a platform to display their cultural tourism projects, to discuss innovative approaches and methods in the area and to find partners for common projects.

AER will also work with experts from the University of Pannonia in Hungary to develop benchmarks to facilitate culture and heritage partnerships and the implementation of projects in cultural tourism.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

AER-UNDP conference: European regions and African territories strengthen co-operation on climate change

By


Limoges, Limousin (F), 31 March 2009.

Decentralising and strengthening co-operation between the European regions and African territories can play a vital role in tackling climate change, a conference organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) heard today.

Hosted in Limoges by the AER member region Limousin (F), the two-day conference brought European regional politicians together with their regional and state-level counterparts from Burkina Faso, Senegal, Morocco and Cameroon, along with civil society representatives, experts and academics from across Europe and Africa.

The Limoges Declaration (see link below), adopted at the conference today, recognises the “profound consequences on human health and economic activities” of global warming, and calls on all levels of government, NGOs, the private sector, social movements and international bodies to take a more “holistic approach” to climate change in the form of decentralised and strengthened co-operation.

The declaration further calls on the European regions to support sustainable development initiatives in Africa’s territories, especially in the promotion of energy efficiency, alternative fuel sources and the use of clean technologies. A number of European regions are already supporting such initiatives with growing success, as the partnership between the Limousin region and (the Republic of) Burkina Faso has demonstrated.

Download:

Quotes about the conference:

Michèle Sabban, AER president
I am especially pleased that our colleagues from Burkina Faso, Senegal, Morocco and Cameroon are taking part in this conference. AER’s member regions stand ready to share with African territories their knowledge, experience and good practice in climate change policy, and I am convinced that such decentralised, ground-up co-operation between our two continents can bring a huge contribution to the global fight against climate change.

Cécile Molinier, director, UNDP office in Geneva
Regional authorities play a crucial role in the implementation of climate change adaptation measures in areas such as agriculture, infrastructure planning, training and water resource management. And, due to their close outreach at local levels and to civic society, the regions can encourage public consensus by raising citizen awareness and integrating the poorest populations in climate change and related policies.

Jean-Paul Denanot, president, Limousin Regional Council
I want to underline the importance of diversity in a global issue such as climate change; the diversity of traditions, of approaches, of climates and territorial priorities, of developments and even of languages. This diversity makes our world richer; it also means that the public policy measures against climate change and commitment of global, European, national and regional authorities should be in synergy.

Blaise Compaore, president, Burkina Faso
My participation in this conference shows the personal interest I have in addressing environmental challenges. In my country, the emerging concept of eco-citizenship and environmental education has really raised awareness within the population, especially among young people.

Luc Bas, head of government relations, Europe, The Climate Group
It is impressive to see so many regions acting in the fight against climate change in Europe and especially to see them connect directly with their counterparts in developing countries. This shows that the claim for recognition as an important partner in the text of the Copenhagen agreement is a very rightful one.

Theodora Avgoulidou, advisor to the secretary-general, region of Central Macedonia (GR)
Success stories that have brought together regions from Europe to tackling major challenges can be transferred to third countries too. Co-ordinated action in water management, including the use of efficient and low-cost technologies as practiced at regional level in South-Eastern Europe through, for example, the Balkan Environment Centre, can provide a floor for integrated aquatic resources management globally.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

AER launches 2008 Award for Innovative Regions

By

At a time when the 2007 European Innovation Scoreboard shows the continued progress of innovative performance within the EU, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) is pleased to be able to recognise those European regional authorities that have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. The regions have significantly contributed to Europe’s increasing innovativeness, which is why AER, together with the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia (I), instigated in 2006 an award for the most innovative European regions.

AER is today launching the award for a third time, and is calling for entries from every region willing to showcase its innovative work. The deadline for submission of applications is 1st June 2008. The award will be officially presented during the AER General Assembly in Tampere (FIN) on 13-14 November 2008.

The AER Innovation Award carries a special significance for Riccardo Illy, AER President and President of Friuli Venezia Giulia. He underlines that “in order to gain a competitive advantage, Europe must innovate. Europe’s creative and innovative potential lies in its people, its citizens. Innovation is not created by machines, by territories rich in natural resources or by geographical advantage, although of course all of these factors can enhance the innovative process. Innovation is rooted in human potential. And who better than the regional level is able to develop proximity initiatives and foster innovation processes corresponding to the citizens needs?”

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

The Province of Istanbul hosts the AER: Over 80 Regions take a stand on decentralisation in Europe

By

 


Instanbul (TR), 7 September 2007

Regional democracy in Turkey was given added momentum today when politicians from 40 European regions met with their Turkish counterparts. Examining how models of regional democracy from other European countries could be more relevant for Turkey, the regional politicians were able to exchange experiences and reinforce the message that strong regions with their own competences, finances and democratically-elected politicians are best placed to deliver economic growth, efficient services and accountable governance.

During the meeting of the political Bureau of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) – the political organisation of almost 260 European regional authorities – Riccardo Illy, AER President and President of the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia-I stressed that’this shows the true purpose of the AER: the European Regions acting together to support other Regions in their decentralisation process. This will be an important factor in developing Turkey and its economy. To develop Europe, we need to release the potential, good will, energy, know-how and creativity of all citizens. This is only possible by giving more responsibilities to the provinces.’
‘Although there is a tradition of a centralised unitary State in Turkey, the country has launched the decentralisation process to strengthen regional and local authorities. We welcome the reform that came into force in 2005, giving more powers to the Provincial Council, a directly elected body,’ explained Hasan Buyukdede, Chairman of Istanbul Provincial Council.
‘Through interregional cooperation with our members, the AER will support the Turkish Regions in adapting to their new responsibilities, in order to fully develop their potential and benefit their citizens. All the previous enlargement processes have shown us that it is crucial to have a strong and active regional level in order to be fully prepared for eventual EU membership,’ concluded President Illy.

Among the other main issues decided today, the AER Bureau made a series of recommendations and proposals on the future of EU regional policy. “A European Union regional policy is essential; it helps to improve the competitive advantage of all Regions on a European and global scale. EU regional policy post-2013 must focus on territorial cooperation networks. Member States must therefore implement the legislation required to enable European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) to be created. The regions are the best actors to fulfil the goals of the EU’, stated Thomas Andersson, Chairman of the AER Reflection Group on Cohesion Policy. “In view of the forthcoming EU Forum on Cohesion (27-28 September), we already met the Director of the European Commission Directorate for Regional Policy (DG REGIO), who expressed the full support of the European Commission for our recommendations,’ he concluded.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

AER Study Visit to UNDP Decentralisation Projects in Southern Serbia

By

The AER Working Group on International Solidarity has undertaken a study visit to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) projects in Serbia, in order to ascertain how AER Member Regions could engage in UNDP-administered development cooperation schemes on the ground in countries such as Serbia, Morocco and Lebanon.

After a visit on the 16th April to the UNDP Serbia representation in Belgrade and a meeting with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, representatives from the Working Group (regions of Bourgogne, Auvergne, Brussels-Capital, Hedmark and Essex) travelled to the Southern Serbian city of Leskovac on the 17th April, where UNDP projects on regional economic development are currently being developed.

During this visit, the group identified a number of potential topics for AER involvement: among them the training of local administration, economic development strategies and targeted policies to address the demographic challenges of the area.

The Working Group members will be following up the contacts in Serbia and plan to extend their activities to other countries, such as Morocco.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

European Regional Organisations get closer

By

Organisations representing European regions must co-ordinate more among themselves: Riccardo Illy, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and of Friuli Venezia Giulia, together with Claudio Martini, President of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and of Tuscany, agreed last Saturday 17th March that it’s now necessary to consolidate co-operation.

This co-operation should be gradual, in order to respect the history and the specificities of each regional organisation. Both Presidents also underlined how a better coordination can only strengthen the regions’ role in Europe, in particular towards the EU institutions. The final goal of this cooperation, although admittedly in the long term, could also be a Confederation among the regional European associations.

The Secretaries General of the AER and the CPMR will meet in the coming weeks, in order to start comparing the work programmes of both organisations, and study joint initiatives on themes of common interest. The two major European organisations will also contact other associations working in the same field, to develop common declarations and documents.

Both President Illy and President Martini underlined how cooperation projects should on the one hand focus on common topics (for example decentralisation processes, environment, energy), while on the other hand they should highlight the particular interests and expertise of each association.

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

“Albergo Diffuso”: The New Regional Tourism Dimension goes Europe-wide with AER

By

Amaro, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (I), 22 March 2007

AER President Riccardo Illy attended today the presentation -hosted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia region- of the project “Albergo Diffuso”, a new regional scheme which is set to boost the local dimension of tourism. This presentation was held during the meeting of the Committee ‘Economy and Regional development’ of the Assembly of the European Regions (AER), which closes today in Amaro (Udine).

Friuli Venezia Giulia (President: Mr. Illy) aims at transforming traditional and still populated rural areas, which would otherwise be condemned to decline, into new tourist attractions and destinations. The revolutionary concept behind the project is that villages as a whole become “hotels”: accommodation is spread among different houses, which are re-qualified and restructured, while a single reception point, located in the village centre, deals with the arrival and departure of guests.

This project, which can be translated and adapted to other European regions, is based on certain key principles, namely: guests are at the centre of the scheme, respect for the environment is a must, local culture and traditions have to be privileged. Last but not least the authenticity of the location is at the heart of the whole project. Tourists can get a real feeling of genuine places, where the memory of the old times lives on in the tales of local villagers.

The scheme can also provide employment opportunities to locals, as the “Borgo Soandri” example clearly shows: in this small village, located near the city of Udine, a cooperative has been set up, in order to manage the “Albergo Diffuso” project. Six people are currently employed there. Tourists can travel to the Borgo, spend a long weekend or a short holiday break, discover local tastes and flavours, learn about traditions and get in touch with people: this is the definition of a genuine holiday, far away from mass tourism. The beauty of local landscapes and mountains adds to the advantages of this scheme.

Enzo Marsilio, Regional Minister for Agriculture and Mountain Areas at Friuli Venezia Giulia, underlined the importance of this project for local communities, while Enrico Bertossi, Regional Minister for Production, stressed how this initiative fits perfectly with the general development of a tourism which is rapidly and constantly changing.

Regional representatives from 43 European regions from the AER were given today a full overview of the project, which is now ready to be “exported” and adapted to other European countries.

For more information on the “Albergo Diffuso” scheme please click on
 www.clubalbergodiffuso.it and www.turismo.fvg.it

For more information: [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Library

Statutory Documents
AER Strategies
Minutes
Media Kit
Activity Reports
Newsletters
European Regions Map

Join AER!

Become a Member

Job Opportunities

Sign up for our Newsletter

Search

Website map