Danuta Hubner in the European Parliament

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Professor Danuta Hübner as host of the OPEN DAYS opening ceremony at the European Parliament, October 04, 2010

Brussels

The grand opening of OPEN DAYS took place in a fully packed plenary hall at the European Parliament. Professor Danuta Hübner, initiator and host of the inauguration ceremony of the European Week of Regions and Cities “OPEN DAYS” in Brussels, stated that Europe is in need of energy coming from regions and cities. The massive participation of over six thousand attendants is according to Professor Hübner proof of an enormous support for cohesion policy, and allows to believe that energy coming from regions will make Europe better.

Professor Hübner emphasized the significance of structural reforms in Europe, which will have an effect on the growth of economic development. Cohesion policy is one of the most important areas facilitating a recovery from the crisis, which changed the map of Europe. For this reason Professor Danuta Hübner appealed to all regions, cities and local communities, calling for efforts to make this new European map a friendly one, as well as one effective in development, competitiveness, cooperation and growth. This is incidentally the motto of the eighth regions meeting: competitiveness, cooperation and cohesion for all regions.

Professor Hübner encouraged all regions to work together, because only through cooperation can the global crisis be responded to.

Mercedes Besso, head of the Regions Committee assessed as well, that the greatest potential in changing Europe should come from regions.

The most important short-term goal will be adding a regional dimension to the Europe 2020 strategy. Cohesion policy cannot only be carried out by member states because it is the responsibility of the regional and local level. Therefore, synergy of regions, institutions, local authorities, and the private and public sectors are necessary for effective action.

Among the invited guests were Philippe Maystadt, Chairman of the European Investment Bank, and Minister Rudy Demotte, representative of the Belgian Presidency, responsible for Wallonia.

Commissioner J. Hahn reminded that already in November the European Commission will present the Fifth Report concerning cohesion policy. Consultations will begin afterwards. The subject of cohesion policy will also be taken up during the January forum in 2011.

Over six thousand attendants are participating in OPEN DAYS, among them representatives of the regions from Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, Brazil and India.

OPEN DAYS was organized for the eighth time by the Regions Committee, the European Commission and the European Parliament. They will take place from the 4th of October until the 7th.

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