Over 5 thousand enrolled, representing 212 regions of 33 countries: they will be the participants in the Open Days set up by the EU Commission and by the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, from 8 to 11 October, plus another hundred events linked with it, taking place in the different member states, due to adhere to it. The seminars and the moments of political debate set up within this year’s event will take care of the new regional programmes for the period ranging from 2007 to 2013, with the overall title: "Let’s pass on to reaching goals! Regions and cities generate growth and employment". Michel Delebarre, president of the Committee of the Regions, mayor of Dunkirk (France), said: "Ever since they started in 2003, the Open Days have become an extraordinary communication, discussion and collaboration framework, a network including regions as well as the protagonists of regional policy and cohesion in Europe". And he added: "Let’s pass on to reaching goals in the regions, which are not simply more competitive, but also more sympathetic with each other". This fifth round coincides "with the launch of the new operational seven-year regional plans, which are an investment of almost 500 billion euros by the public and private sectors".
