# CE2004084EN.01086301.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/863 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/863

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(2004/C 84 E/0955)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0743/04

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject:   MEDA programme and regions

Subject:

As a Mediterranean region, Valencia has important social and economic links with its neighbouring countries and regions.

In connection with the forthcoming review of the MEDA programme budget, has the Commission taken into account the possibility of coordinating activities with regional governments in Mediterranean areas? Are there any studies on the feasibility of creating interregional structures within the Mediterranean basin in order to improve economic cooperation and increase development aid in the area?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 April 2004)

(15 April 2004)

The Commission attaches particular importance to the role of regions and local authorities in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. One of the objectives of that partnership is to involve the public and civil society more closely. Local and regional authorities are important and useful partners in the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean partnership that is close to the people and the Commission welcomes their growing interest in cooperation with Euro-Mediterranean partners.

On 22 February 2002 in Barcelona, the mayors of Euro-Mediterranean cities were united in the desire to inject new dynamism into the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and create a forum for dialogue, exchanges and cooperation. Their declaration, referred to as the Euro-Med Pact, was the result of a very long-standing wish on the part of the cities to have their own forum within the Euro-Mediterranean framework. The Valencia Action Plan, endorsed by the Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers on 23 April 2002, ‘welcomed the Declaration of the Meeting of Euro-Mediterranean cities held in Barcelona last February. It also agreed that the Euromed Pact proposal presented by Eurocities merited further study.’

In 2003, following on from these political decisions and declarations, the Commission launched a pilot programme on cooperation between Euro-Mediterranean cities (Medact) with the objective of making a start on the first projects. The work done so far demonstrates that the local authorities are both willing and able to play an active part in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation programmes. It was decided during the regional programming exercise for 2005-2006 that this work should be supported and developed through a cooperation programme for Euro-Mediterranean cities and local authorities (Medact), with the aim of developing cooperation, exchanges and dialogue between them. EUR 5 million has been allocated for this.

Lastly, the Commission is planning to set up a new neighbourhood instrument in 2007. It will provide European regions and local authorities with a framework for working with southern-Mediterranean partners on cross-border and trans-national cooperation programmes and projects.

The Commission is confident that these cooperation instruments will pave the way for more active and more concerted involvement by European towns and regions in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

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