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Istanbul Development Agency is seeking out opportunities for a project partnership in order to establish strong links and a high level cooperation between civil society in Turkey and the EU Member States.
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The AER Partnerships and Networking fair that took place on 26 April in Dnipropetrovsk (UA) attracted many local journalists, students, associations, business representatives as well as international representatives based in Kiev. It was a unique way to discover the opportunities for investments and business partnerships in Dnipropetrovsk and exchange on the different thematic activities, projects and initiatives AER and its members are involved in.
The AER programmes that are open to non-EU member regions such as Eurodyssey, the Summerschool and the Training Academies, as well as the peer review methodology, steered genuine interest. The enthusiastic participation of students both in the organisation and in the attendance to the fair was striking and showed a high potential for citizen participation in the region.
To find out more about Dnipropetrovsk’s profile and fair details see here.
Follow AER!Our Secretary General, Pascal Goergen met Mr Almeida Henriques, Secretary of State for Economy and Regional Development, in Lisbon, in view of the Continental Portugal regions’ membership. Three regional meetings were held shortly thereafter: with Mr Pedro Saraiva, President of the Centro region, Mr Antonio Costa Dieb, President of the Alentejo region and Mr David Santos, President of the Algarve region. These three regions have expressed their intention to join our Assembly. Moreover, AER had a chance to better understand the needs of the Portuguese regions in the context of the current financial crisis. Last but not least, we also met the President of the Territory Institute, Mr Rogério Gomes, with whom AER has signed a memorandum of understanding in November 2011. The discussion led to a fruitful exchange on our collaboration and future activities including our openness towards the academic world.
Follow AER!The Province of Noord-Brabant (NL) is looking for partner regions to create a consortium for the Open Days. Final deadline for applying to the European Commission: 6 March 2013 – Should you be interested in cooperating with the Province of Noord-Brabant, please contact Lieke Van Alphen
Follow AER!At a time when the European Union is going through a period of economic instability, European funds play a particular role in the development and restarting of regional economies. The Assembly of European Regions (AER) has therefore published a report that aims at enabling European regions to improve access to European programmes, whether sectoral or structural. This policy report entitled ‘Information and Access to European Funding’ contains facts and findings, examples of best practices and makes practical recommendations that will allow more regions to improve access to EU funds.
The report is provided by the Alsace Region (F) and its First Vice-President André REICHARDT, also Vice-President of AER: “This report is based on a diagnosis made on initiatives already implemented in Alsace. Other regions in Europe have identified the same facts as we did, so we have to pool our ideas and efforts together – herein lies the key role of AER on the topic in question. We indeed hope that a maximum number of regional actors could have a better knowledge, understanding and benefit from these opportunities”.
In line with the recommendations of the Reichardt Report, the European Centre for Public Administration (PEAP) in Strasbourg* decided to launch an educational initiative with expertise in training in regional management of European funds. The training is aligned with the dual outlook of the next programming and management transfer to regions of Structural Funds, in France.
* The European Centre for Public Administration reunites the National School for Administration, the National Institute for Field Studies, the University of Strasbourg, the The Institute for Political Studies in Strasbourg, the Kehl Euro-Institute, the Government, the Regional Council of Alsace, the City Hall and the Urban Community of Strasbourg.
Partners – the Reichardt Report has been completed thanks to the contributions of the following regions: Alsace (F), Champagne-Ardenne (F), Krapina-Zagorjie (HR), Madeira (P) Picardie (F), Sisak-Moslavina (HR) and Wallonie (B).
Please, read the report: EN-Reichardt_Report
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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]
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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!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!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]
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Guria, Georgia, 2 July 2009
As the European Union’s Eastern Partnership initiative gathers momentum in Brussels, an Assembly of European Regions (AER) delegation led by Secretary-General Klaus Klipp was in Guria, Georgia, today bringing that partnership to the South Caucasus regions.
“AER prides itself on taking the time to visit regions on the ground to really get a sense of the challenges they are facing,” Secretary-General Klipp said. “Given the turmoil Georgia has experienced in recent years, it is no surprise that issues such as territorial reform and interregional co-operation have taken a back seat. But as more Georgian regions have become AER members in recent months, and since AER is already playing an active role in the Eastern Partnership, we felt that this was a good time to be here.”
Organised by AER and hosted by the Guria region of Georgia, the meeting brought together governors of the Georgian regions, the State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Giorgi Baramidze, as well as representatives from Armenia, Poland and other eastern stakeholders.
The governors were introduced to the numerous possibilities AER offers for interregional co-operation with the EU regions, along with information on EU funding opportunities, policies and project management. AER also offered its support in helping Georgia’s constitutional reformers strengthen the role of the regions, in line with the principles of subsidiarity and multi-level governance that lie at the heart of AER’s work.
For more information: [email protected]
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Strasbourg (F), 15 January 2009
Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska (RS) region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Milorad Dodik, joined BiH Representative to the Council of Europe Ambassador Borislav Maric today in an inaugural visit to AER’s Strasbourg Headquarters.
Republika Srpska’s application for AER membership was accepted in November 2007, during AER’s annual General Assembly held in Udine, Italy. The RS is the newest member of AER’s growing family of more than 260 regions (including seven cantons in the BiH Federation) from 33 countries and 14 interregional organisations from across wider Europe.
Prime Minister Dodik met with AER’s Secretary-General Klaus Klipp and senior staff, who briefed the Prime Minister about AER’s current work and plans for the future. PM Dodik expressed a particular interest in AER’s activities in the fields of economic development, rural development, sustainable tourism, regional airport development, emergency planning, health and social policy development, as well as youth programs such as Eurodyssey (a regional work exchange program) and Youth Summer School.
AER membership opens a door for the RS to join an expanding network of regional representations in Brussels, which will enable them access to invaluable project and partnership opportunities. Mr. Klipp offered AER’s assistance in preparing a strategy for the opening of an RS representation office in Brussels.
“We hope the RS will take full advantage of what AER membership has to offer,” Mr. Klipp said. ‘As with other Western Balkan regions, the RS can benefit greatly from capacity building initiatives such as AER’s Training Academy and Summer School. We can also assist RS authorities in establishing partnerships with western European regions who are willing to share their wealth of knowledge and experience with other regions.”
PM Dodik offered to host an AER regional conference in the future, stressing that it would be a unique opportunity to attract regional politicians and experts to the RS capital Banja Luka.
For more information: [email protected]
Follow AER!Kazan, Tatarstan-RUS, 21 September 2007
One day after the plenary meeting of the Committee ‘Economy and Regional Development’, representatives from European regions have gathered in Kazan, Tatarstan-RUS, for a Seminar on the development strategy in the Republic of Tatarstan, organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER).
Tatarstan has put a clear focus on developing its economy. In order to do so, it has set up various initiatives to attract foreign investors and to help start-up companies, for instance by the creation of the innovative technopark “IDEA”. This region underlined the crucial role of regional airports in the development of the tourism sector. The AER is well aware of this issue and has therefore created a network of regional airports, which is currently influencing EU regulation in this field.
Tatarstan has invested a lot to develop its tourist amenities by constructing, among others, hotel resorts. Nevertheless, the region is confronted with an important need of skilled staff. Klaus Klipp, Secretary General of the AER, presented the AER Eurodyssey programme to Mr Bariev, Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Tatarstan. In offering Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 an opportunity to spend 3 to 7 months abroad, gathering work experience and acquiring foreign language skills, this programme could help the region to solve part of the problem it faces. Minister Bariev showed great interest in this programme.
Onno Hoes, President of AER Committee ‘Economy and Regional Development’ and Member of the Executive Board of the Region Noord-Brabant-NL, together with Klaus Klipp, also met Mr Akulov, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs to the President of Tatarstan; Mr Kogogin, Minister of Industry and Trade, as well as other ministers, to define together a very pragmatic and effective co-operation in Tatarstan in the fields of Tourism, Energy and Youth. The importance of this co-operation was also underlined in a meeting with the Tatarstan State Council chairman, Mr Mukhametshin, who considered it essential in the European context.
Thanks to the AER initiatives and networking, the Republic of Tatarstan can benefit from the know-how of 260 member regions. The AER is a bridge between the European Union and neighbouring regions like Tatarstan. “It is our duty to help our members to learn from each other and to benefit from others’ experiences. Our meetings today are proof of the added value of exchanging and working closely all together” said Klaus Klipp.
For more information: [email protected]
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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!Hedmark County (N), 8 May 2007
“It is the regions’ duty to maintain the current level of integration in Europe, in case no solution is found on the Constitutional Treaty at the EU level”: AER President, Riccardo Illy, claimed. At the end of the AER Bureau Meeting, held today in Hedmark County (Norway), he emphasised the need to maintain the momentum of European integration. “Europe cannot stop”, said President Illy, who also underlined how the majority of Europeans consider it necessary to have a more integrated Europe.
President Illy also reacted positively to the outcomes of the first joint meeting between the AER Bureau and the Standing Comittee on Institutional Affairs: “it worked very well, I really had a good feeling. The Bureau showed its will to work with the Committee on issues of great importance in the current European debate, such as the role of the regions in Europe and the future of the EU”.
President Illy also commented upon the intentions of the elected President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy: “Mr. Sarkozy seems to intend to cut down the current Treaty, while the majority of the EU Member States would like to make as few amendments as possible. Some sort of common ground needs to be found between these different positions before the likely start of the next Intergovernmental Conference, which the current EU President Angela Merkel proposed for the end of this year”.
Next AER General Assembly on 7th-9th November in Udine
On this occasion President Illy also confirmed that the next General Assembly will take place from the 7th to the 9th November in Udine (Italy). The main themes of the international meeting, which will bring together more than 600 regional representatives from the wider Europe, will be Identity and Diversity in Europe.
The AER in Norway
President Riccardo Illy also shared views with Hedmark’s President Siri Austeng: “personally it’s my first visit here”, said Mr. Illy, “and I saw it as a very good opportunity to improve our cooperation and to get to know each other better. Personally, I experienced great hospitality”. Answering a question on why it is important for Norwegian regions to be members of the AER, President Illy said: “firstly, because through the AER we can reinforce and strengthen the role of the regions, which are the so-called “intermediate level of governance”; secondly because through the AER regions can co-operate effectively”. President Austeng said: “I’m very proud of having had the AER Bureau meeting here. Norway has to work together with the rest of Europe, we cannot stand alone as a country. European integration is the biggest peace project that has ever taken place”.
Some Photos of the Event:
For more information: [email protected]
Follow AER!Paris, Île-de-France (F), 9 June 2006
The Assembly of European Regions united today in Paris the Spokespersons of its member Regions to create the network of Spokespersons of the European Regions’ Presidents.
The objectives of the initiative are a better recognition of regional issues at European level and a more transparent and understandable communication on the European project.
The meeting was made possible thanks to the kind invitation of Michèle Sabban, Vice-President of the Ile-de-France Region and member of the Presidium of the Assembly of European Regions.
For more information: [email protected]
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