The Office for European Affairs at Open Days, the annual event of Regional Policy in Brussels

Brussels, Belgium, 10 October – Being the representative of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the Office for European Affairs has been participating at the European Week of Regions and Cities, OPEN DAYS 2007 in Brussels, which has been organized by the Committee of the Regions. More than 200 regions and 5000 participants are present and attending 150 workshops in the capital of Europe this week. In the next few days, the representatives of the Office for European Affairs are going to attend a number of meetings on the following topics: structural funds, tourism as an engine of regional development, water resources, cross-border cooperation, regional innovations and prospects in urban financing.

“The most important message of this year’s event is that economic development and new work places go along with regions. The fact that more than two hundred regions are present shows the importance of this process within European framework. Regions and decentralized management of IPA funds are vital links in efficient use of opportunities the EU offers”, has said Predrag Novikov, Director of the Office for European Affairs. Within the European Week of Regions and Cities, whole day conferences have also been organized, where national and regional investors and decision-makers have gathered. Energy, environmental protection, financial engeneering, health care, information technology, research and development and transport have been identified as areas with highest investment potential. The event is organized by the Committee of the Regions and Directorate General for Regional Policy of the European Commission, and it will be covered by a few hundreds of accredited journalists and supported by the Euronews TV channel.