” “The regional cohesion policy of the EU is being reconsidered in the attempt to give more effectiveness to this area of EU action, which for the period 2007-2013 has set in motion 345 local projects supported by EU and national funds worth 500 billion euros. The event devoted to an exchange of experiences and political positions on the subject is the Open Days, promoted by the EU Commission and by the Committee of the Regions. The dates for 2008 are 6 to 9 October, with 120 events in Brussels and another 250 across Europe, which will be attended by over 200 local bodies from 32 countries. The Open Days will be named "Regions and cities in a world of challenges". They "are a dedicated meeting place for the public and private players of the regional political arena explains the president of the CoR, Luc Van den Brande -. They are an opportunity for the regions and the cities to share good practices, confirm their commitment to sustainable growth and employment and their will to join forces to tackle such problems as climate change". The workshops will discuss "the innovative regions" (research, innovation); sustainable development; the prospects and role of the European cohesion policy. Info at www.opendays.europa.eu.
