” “"Investing in the European regions and cities: a public-private partnership for growth and employment": this will be the topic of the Open Days, i.e. the European Weeks of the Regions and Cities 2006, presented in Brussels today, due from 9th to 12th October in the "European capital" and in another seventy cities of the continent. According to Danuta Hübner, EU Commissioner for regional policies, and Michel Delebarre, president of the Committee of the Regions, 5 thousand "delegates from the public, private and bank sectors as well as European, state and regional politicians" are expected to take part "in 180 workshops and lectures about the funding opportunities ad potential partnerships between local bodies and businesses of the new EU regional and cohesion policy". "We have undertaken to help Europe become the most competitive economy in the world states Hübner -. The estimates of the Commission show that, out of every 100 euros spent for regional development, up to 40 euros go back to the other regions in the form of exports. That’s why, to be effective, the investment efforts must be supplemented by local and regional strategies. This is just the topic of this year’s Open Days: the regional investment strategies, their effectiveness and quality as well as their contribution to the growth and employment plan". (to be continued)” “
