Top News from the European Commission 20 September to 10 October 2010 Background Notes from the Spokespersons' Service for Journalists

AGENDA/10/29

Brussels, Friday 17 September 2010

Top News from the European Commission 20 September to 10 October 2010 Background notes from the Spokespersons' service for journalists. The European Commission reserves the right to make changes

Monday 20 September 2010: Delivering broadband access for all 2

Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 September 2010: High Level Meeting on Millennium Development Goals in New York 4

Monday 20 - Tuesday 21 September 2010: European Commission is organising a public hearing on the review of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MIFID) 6

Tuesday 21 September 2010: New Commission strategy on gender equality 8

Wednesday 22 September 2010: European Parliament votes on new EU supervisory architecture 9

Thursday 23 – Tuesday 28 September 2010: Celebrating the European Day of Languages 11

Friday 24 September 2010: European Commission announces its policy on digitisation of cinemas 13

Monday 27 - Wednesday 29 September 2010: ICT 2010 - Digitally Driven: Europe's biggest forum for research and innovation in Information and Communication Technologies 14

Wednesday 29 September 2010: Economic governance legislative proposals 16

Monday 4 – Thursday 7 October 2010: OPEN DAYS –the European Week of Cities and Regions 17

Editor Michael Karnitschnig +32 2 299 60 66 SPP Coordination and Planning

Monday 20 September 2010: Delivering broadband access for all

The news: Three complementary initiatives to accelerate the roll-out and take up of fast and ultra fast internet in the EU are due to be adopted by the European Commission. These measures will aim to help the EU achieve the commitment in the Digital Agenda for Europe that every European should have access to a basic broadband by 2013, to fast broadband by 2020 with half of European households having access to ultra-fast broadband by 2020. The three measures comprise a Communication on promoting investment in broadband networks, a Commission Recommendation on Regulated access to Next Generation Access (NGA) networks and a proposal to establish a Radio Spectrum Policy Programme whereby Member States would ensure inter alia that spectrum was available for wireless broadband.

The background: Giving all citizens and businesses access to a high-speed internet address is one of the key objectives of the Commission's Digital Agenda for Europe, as endorsed by the European Council and the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (see IP/10/225). Although Europe as a region has the highest average levels of broadband penetration worldwide (24.8%) its networks need to be further developed and upgraded, the current divide between urban and rural/remote areas must be reduced. Today only 1% of Europeans have an ultra fast internet connection. Fast and ultra-fast internet access for all is central to Europe's economic recovery, to our industrial and creative productivity and to enable all EU citizens to fully engage in today's digital society. The Commission's package will consist of three separate elements to address tackling the challenge at European, national and regional levels: A Communication outlining how best to encourage public and private investment in fast and ultra fast networks A Commission Recommendation on Regulated access to Next Generation Access (NGA) networks setting out a common regulatory approach concerning the access to new high- speed fibre networks, requiring Member States' telecoms regulators to ensure an appropriate balance between the need to encourage investment and the need to safeguard competition. A proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision to establish a Radio Spectrum Policy Programme whereby Member States would ensure inter alia that spectrum is available for wireless broadband. Bringing high speed access to all parts of Europe will require investment of between €180 and €270 billion.

The event: 12h30: Press conference by Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes in the Berlaymont press room

The sources: IP/10/581 - Digital Agenda: Commission outlines action plan to boost Europe's prosperity and well-being

MEMO/10/200 - Digital Agenda for Europe: key initiatives

MEMO/10/199 - Digital Agenda for Europe: what would it do for me?

European Commission's website on the Digital Agenda for Europe: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/digital-agenda/

Commissioner Kroes' website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/kroes/index_en.htm I-065546 – Stockshots: Digital Agenda

The contacts: Jonathan Todd +32 2 299 41 07 [email protected] Linda Cain +32 2 299 90 19 [email protected]

Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 September 2010: High Level Meeting on Millennium Development Goals in New York

The news: World leaders will gather in New York to negotiate the way forward in attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, the main goal being to eradicate extreme poverty. Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs and Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva will attend the High Level Meeting. The EU is firmly committed to support the achievement of the MDGs globally by 2015. This is still possible, if all partners demonstrate strong political commitment, implement necessary policy changes and take concrete action. Progress has been uneven across the MDGs and across regions, as well as between and within countries. Good progress has been made on some MDGs, such as access to primary education. Others (e.g., child and maternal mortality, sanitation) remain off track and should now be prioritised. Efforts should focus on regions and countries that lag behind the most. Countries in situations of conflict and fragility need special attention. And from the developing countries' side it is about more ownership and leadership, notably by incorporating the MDGs into national development strategies. The EU remains convinced that the MDGs are interlinked, mutually dependent and reinforcing and therefore require a holistic, rights-based approach which takes into account local contexts. The European position is that MDGs are interdependent with human rights, gender equality, democracy, good governance, development, peace and security, as well as climate and energy.

The background: The eight Millennium Development Goals adopted by world leaders in 2000 and set to be achieved by 2015, set quantitative benchmarks for, among other things, the reduction of poverty and hunger, child and maternal mortality and the fight against HIV/AIDS as well as other diseases. They further formulate goals for primary education, employment, gender equality and environmental sustainability. As part of MDGs, the EU has committed to increase spending on official development assistance (ODA) to 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2015. Since 2000, Europe has doubled its aid to developing countries. In 2009, the EU aid level was €49bn. This corresponds to 0.42% of EU GNI. While the EU remains the most generous global donor, providing more than half of development aid, it missed the collective EU intermediate target of 0,56% ODA/GNI for 2010. On 21 April the European Commission adopted an ambitious twelve-point plan for EU action to speed up progress on the Millennium Development Goals. The document was broadly welcomed by the Foreign Ministers Council in June.

The event: 17 September 2010, 11h30: Technical briefing in the Berlaymont Press Room Press conferences and briefings in New York (date and time to be confirmed) EbS will accompany President Barroso, Commissioner Piebalgs and Commissioner Georgieva to New York

The sources: IP/10/451 - Development aid and Millennium Development Goals: Commission calls Member States to get back on track for more and better aid

MEMO/10/145 - The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Frequently Asked Questions and examples of EU-funded projects

The Action Plan of the Commission in support of the Millennium Development Goals: http://ec.europa.eu/development/icenter/repository/COMM_COM_2010_0159_MDG_EN.PDF

Website of President Barroso: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/index_en.htm

Website of DG Development: http://ec.europa.eu/development/index_en.cfm

Website of Commissioner Piebalgs: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/piebalgs/index_en.htm

Website of Commissioner Georgieva: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/georgieva/index_en.htm I-056970 – Archives: Millennium development goals

The contacts: Pia Ahrenkilde +32 2 295 3070 [email protected] Michael Karnitschnig +32 2 299 6066 [email protected] Catherine Ray +32 2 296 9921 [email protected] Ferran Tarradellas +32 2 296 6293 [email protected] Wojtek Talko +32 2 297 8551 [email protected]

Monday 20 - Tuesday 21 September 2010: European Commission is organising a public hearing on the review of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MIFID)

The news: On 20-21 September 2010, the European Commission will organise a public hearing on the review of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive 2004/39/EC (MiFID). The public hearing will provide an opportunity for the Commission to get input about the way forward for the ongoing review of MIFID. It will bring together senior policy makers, regulators, industry experts and academics. The conference will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions and takes place over 2 days: Day 1: Five panels on the main issues in the ongoing review of MiFID: Derivative market reform and increasing trading on organised platforms, Ensuring transparency and efficiency are balanced in the trading of financial instruments, Changes in market structure and competition between trading venues, Investor protection after the crisis, Improving market data consolidation. Day 2: Four panels specifically on commodity and exotic derivatives: The outlook for commodity markets today, Global regulatory perspectives as regards commodity derivatives, Ensuring the interests of users and producers of commodities, The road ahead in EU energy and emission allowance markets. Keynote speakers include: Michel Barnier – Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Dacian Cioloş – Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Sharon Bowles MEP - Chair of the European Parliament Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in the European Parliament.

The background: The MiFID sets out a comprehensive regulatory regime for investment services and financial markets in Europe. It contains measures to at strengthen investor protection, eliminate barriers to cross-border trading, enhance competition in the EU securities industry and, ultimately, encourage the integration of EU capital markets. Two years after the implementation of the MiFID in the EU, a number of objectives have been met. The common rules introduced by MiFID have made the cross-border provision of services smoother while increasing protection to clients. The emergence of new trading systems (Multilateral trading facilities or MTF and systematic internalisers) has increased competition and abolished monopolies of traditional stock exchanges. This has also allowed the decrease of trading costs. The initial political objectives still remain valid; however, there is certainly room for improvement and modifications. A review is also necessary in order to address specific weaknesses and flaws of financial markets emerged as a result of the crisis. The legislative proposal to review MIFID is expected in the beginning of 2011.

The event: High-level conference at the European Commission premises, Charlemagne building, Salle de Gasperi, 170 Rue de la Loi, Brussels from 8.30-17.00. Attendance is free, prior registration needed by using this link: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=mifid

The sources: More information and conference programme – European Commission, Internal Market and Services Directorate General website: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/securities/isd/index_en.htm

Website of Commissioner Barnier: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/barnier/index_en.htm

The contacts: Chantal Hughes +32 2 296 44 50 [email protected] Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 [email protected] Catherine Bunyan +32 2 299 65 12 [email protected]

Tuesday 21 September 2010: New Commission strategy on gender equality

The news: The European Commission will adopt a new strategy to promote equality between women and men over the next five years. The strategy spells out a series of actions based around five priorities: equal economic independence for women and men; equal pay for work of equal value; equality in decision-making; dignity, integrity and ending gender violence; and promoting gender equality beyond the EU. It also highlights the contribution of gender equality to economic growth and sustainable development, and supports the implementation of Europe 2020 Strategy. These areas take up the priorities already set out by the Commission in its Women's Charter, adopted in March 2010. The new strategy represents the Commission's work programme on gender equality for 2010-2015 and builds on the previous roadmap for equality covering 2006-2010. The Commission will also present the results of a new Eurobarometer survey on attitudes to domestic violence in Europe – the first such EU-wide survey in more than a decade.

The background: Equality between women and men is a fundamental right and a common value of the EU. Since 1957, EU Treaties have provided a legal basis for policy and action on gender equality. Despite remarkable progress towards equality between women and men over the past 50 years, significant inequalities persist at global and EU levels, clashing with the EU’s fundamental goals. EU action on gender equality is needed to protect fundamental rights, combat discrimination, strengthen social cohesion and reaffirm shared values, but also to mobilise women’s full potential to help boost EU competitiveness, growth and prosperity. The current Commission that took office in 2010 affirmed its commitment to equality between women and men by adopting a “Women’s Charter,” which identifies five priority areas that will underpin actions during this Commission’s term of office. The Strategy for the period 2010-2015 implements the Women's Charter.

The event: Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, will present the new strategy for gender equality as well as the Eurobarometer results at a press conference in Strasbourg (time to be confirmed).

The sources: The Commission's Women's Charter: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=418&newsId=726&furtherNews=yes

More information on equality between women and men in the EU: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=418

Vice-President Reding's website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/index_en.htm I-056402 - VNR: Waging war on the pay gap I-060551 - VNR: Fighting the gender pay gap in Europe I-063950 – VNR: Gender stereotypes in the labour market I-060553 – VNR: Women to the top

The contacts: Matthew Newman +32 2 296 24 06 [email protected] Mina Andreeva +32 2 299 13 82 [email protected]

Wednesday 22 September 2010: European Parliament votes on new EU supervisory architecture

The news: Responding to the gaps in financial regulation as evidenced by the credit crunch, the European Commission tabled proposals in September 2009 to beef up financial supervision in Europe. This package envisaged the creation of a new supervisory framework consisting of a European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) and three new European Supervisory Authorities for the financial services sector: A European Banking Authority (EBA), a European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and a European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). The main aim of this framework is to give Europe the control tower and the radar screens it needs to detect the risks which were accumulating across the system at the height of the financial crisis. Following the successful outcome of the trialogue on 2 September between the Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Member States and the further endorsement of the package by EU finance ministers at their meeting of 7 September, the European Parliament is expected to vote on the package on 22 September in plenary. If approved, the three new authorities can be up and running from 1 January 2011 onwards.

The background: The reform of the supervisory architecture is the lynchpin of the EU roadmap for financial reform. The European Commission is currently proposing numerous legislative proposals to tackle various legislative gaps which contributed to the last financial crisis; such as legislation to improve the functioning of derivatives markets, measures on short selling and credit default swaps, amendments to capital requirements for banks and proposals on crisis prevention and management. The aim is for all these and more proposals to be adopted by the legislature by the end of 2011, so that they can enter into force by the end of 2012.

The event: Vote of the European Parliament, preceded by a declaration of the EU Presidency and Commissioner Barnier of the European Commission. The vote is scheduled to take place in Strasbourg between 12.00 and 13.00. Available on EBS Commission experts will travel to the Representations of the European Commission in Berlin, London, Milan, Paris and The Hague to brief a national audience on the contents of the supervision package as well as giving an overview the latest EU developments in the area of financial services. The briefings are open to the press. Statement by Commissioner Barnier and MEMO available on the day

The sources: Web site of the European Parliament: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/

Web site for Internal Market and Services: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/index_en.htm

Web site of Commissioner Michel Barnier: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/barnier/index_en.htm

Web site of the Commission Representations: http://ec.europa.eu/represent_en.htm

The contacts: Chantal Hughes +32 2 296 44 50 [email protected] Catherine Bunyan +32 2 2996512 [email protected] Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 [email protected]

Thursday 23 – Tuesday 28 September 2010: Celebrating the European Day of Languages

The news: The Commission is organising a series of activities around 26 September, the annual European Day of Languages (EDL). This year, the main theme is languages for business. On 24 September, Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, will lead a round-table discussion on languages, competitiveness and employability.

The background: 26 September was designated as the European Day of Languages by the Council of Europe and the European Commission. The purpose is to draw attention to the importance of language learning, raise awareness of all the languages spoken in Europe and encourage lifelong language learning.

The event: 23 September Conference on "Languages for jobs" in Brussels with stakeholders, government experts and entrepreneurs from small and medium sized companies that have successfully used language strategies for their businesses. Venue: Berlaymont, Schuman room, 9.30-17.00. 24 September Commissioner Vassiliou participates in a round-table discussion in Brussels with entrepreneurs and representatives of SMEs about how multilingualism can help business. Please register at: http://languagesforsme.teamwork.fr/ (Password: BRUSSELS). Commission representations will also participate in the debate via video link. Venue: Breydel building, Auditorium, 10.30-12.00. Launch of the Commission's new on-line Language Quiz available in 22 different languages. Awareness-raising campaign for the recruitment of Italian interpreters will be launched in Rome. 27 September Conferences in Member States on the benefits of multilingualism. For example, a conference in Warsaw will discuss the effects of multilingualism on social inclusion; in Berlin, a high-level meeting will focus on bilingual education; in Pisa and Lucca, the Italian Minister of European Affairs, Andrea Ronchi and author/semiologist Umberto Eco will discuss the contribution of languages to European integration. Special radio broadcasts in Bulgaria and Lithuania, online language competitions in the Czech Republic, poetry recitals in Denmark, storytelling in Finland, a film festival in Poland, language fairs, language taster classes and workshops. 28 September The Commission launches a contest to highlight how speaking foreign languages can open doors in your professional and private life. The Commission will invite contributions on 'my favourite foreign language story'. The authors of the best stories will be invited to Brussels for an award ceremony around Europe Day in May 2011.

The sources: Commissioner Vassiliou Website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/vassiliou/index_en.htm

Web site of the multilingualism policy unit: http://ec.europa.eu/education/languages/index_en.htm

Commission's Representations in the Member States Website: http://ec.europa.eu/represent_en.htm

Translation DG Website: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/translation

Interpretation DG Website: http://scic.ec.europa.eu/europa/jcms/j_8/home

The contacts: Dennis Abbot +32 29 59258 [email protected] Dina Avraam +32 29 59 667 [email protected]

Friday 24 September 2010: European Commission announces its policy on digitisation of cinemas

The news: The European Commission will present its policy on the opportunities and challenges for European cinemas in the digital era.

The background: Digital technology offers new opportunities for European cinema as it can reduce distribution costs and potentially increase the number and diversity of European films being screened worldwide. Digitisation of films and cinemas will also contribute to the overall competitiveness of the sector. In Europe, digital take-up is being held back in some cases because of the cost of conversion to digital technology and the varying needs of cinemas according to their size. The Commission's communication examines how Member States and the Commission can assist the transition to digitisation through state aid and support from the EU's MEDIA programme for cinema.

The event: 12:30 Press conference with Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner responsible for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth (Press room, Berlaymont) Available on EbS

The sources: IP/09/1534 - European Commission seeks views on the opportunities and challenges for digital cinema

Website of DG Education and Culture on media: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/media/programme/index_en.htm

Results of the public consultation: http://ec.europa.eu/culture/media/programme/overview/consultations/index_en.htm

Commissioner Vassiliou's website: http://www.ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/vassiliou/index_en.htm

The contacts: Dennis Abbot +32 29 59258 [email protected] Dina Avraam +32 29 59 667 [email protected]

Monday 27 - Wednesday 29 September 2010: ICT 2010 - Digitally Driven: Europe's biggest forum for research and innovation in Information and Communication Technologies

The news: From 27th to 29th September, more than 5000 European researchers, business people, investors, and high-level policy makers will gather at Brussels Expo for Europe's largest forum for ICT research and innovation, "ICT 2010 – Digitally Driven". ICTs are the nervous system of our society - they make smart phones, smart houses and smart cars run and are integrated in most of our daily activities which is why research and innovation are key policy areas of the Digital Agenda for Europe. More than 100 exhibits will be showcased of the latest advances in EU-funded ICT research. For examples, visitors will be invited to meet intelligent robots able to detect and adapt to their emotions, step into a green home that analyses and alerts them to their energy consumption or ride a safe motorbike that reduces the risk of accidents. Major themes of the conference will be research for sustainable growth in a low-carbon economy, the constructive impact of ICTs in everyday life and the importance of public funding and support in ICT research and innovation. Conference keynote speakers include: Yves Leterme Prime Minister of Belgium Neelie Kroes European Commission Vice President for the Digital Agenda Jim Hagemann-Snabe Co-CEO of SAP Jan Zadak Managing Director of Hewlett-Packard Hans Vestberg CEO of Ericsson Prof. Henry Markram Blue Brain Project

The background: ICT research is crucial to driving economic productivity and growth, improving quality of life and meeting social challenges. Today's high-tech world is the result of bright scientists who converted ideas into innovative technologies with financial support from the public and private sector. That is why improving and developing research and innovation in ICT is a key objective of the Digital Agenda for Europe. The EU has contributed more than €20 billion to ICT research funding in the past 25 years. But to be competitive in the 21st century means leading in ICT and making the right investments at the right time. Europe lags behind in investment to produce the growth needed for the future and spends just 40% as much as the US in ICT research. The Digital Agenda for Europe seeks a doubling of public spending on ICT research in the EU by 2020. The event: ICT 2010 will take place at Brussels Expo from 27 to 29 September 2010 in halls 7, 10, and 11. It is organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the Belgian Presidency of the European Union. ICT in Belgium will also be on display. More than 30 exhibits will put the spotlight on innovative digital solutions 'made in Belgium'. Commission Vice President for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes will make her speech during the opening plenary which starts at 9.45 am on 27 September in the Auditorium 2000. At 12.30 pm, a VIP tour of the exhibition will take place with H.R.H. Prince Philippe of Belgium and Vice President Kroes, followed by a lunch break for journalists and a press tour of the exhibits starting around 1.15 pm from the European Commission stand. Journalists are invited to register online free of charge via http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/events/ict/2010/registration/index_en.htm Pre-registration is required for the press tour of exhibits via [email protected] Journalists wishing to interview some of the conference keynote speakers and VIPs should contact [email protected] 14

A press room will be available in hall 11on the 2nd floor. ICT 2010 Media Centre: http://ec.europa.eu//information_society/events/ict/2010/media-center/index_en.htm?utm_campaign=ict10&utm_medium=topnews

ICT 2010 website: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/events/ict/2010/index_en.htm?utm_campaign=ict10&utm_medium=topnews

The sources: IP/10/966 - €6.4 billion for smart growth and jobs – Europe's biggest ever investment in research and innovation

MEMO/10/339 - Europe’s biggest ever package of research and innovation investment

IP/10/581 - Digital Agenda: Commission outlines action plan to boost Europe's prosperity and well-being

MEMO/10/199 - Digital Agenda for Europe: what would it do for me?

MEMO/10/200 - Digital Agenda for Europe: key initiatives

Digital Agenda for Europe website: http://ec.europa.eu/ digital-agenda

Commissioner Kroes' website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/kroes/index_en.htm I-061097 – Stockshots: Future and emerging technologies I-065546 – Stockshots: Digital Agenda

The contacts: Jonathan Todd +32 2 299 41 07 [email protected] Linda Cain +32 2 299 90 19 [email protected]

Wednesday 29 September 2010: Economic governance legislative proposals

The news: European Commission presents legislative proposals (1 Directive, 5 Regulations) in the area of economic governance to follow up the proposals in the 30 June Communication on “Enhancing economic policy coordination for stability, growth and jobs”.

The background: First steps were taken in the spring with the strengthening of Eurostat's audit powers to ensure accuracy and reliability of the Member States' public accounts. The strategic elements of stronger economic governance were outlined in the Communication in May and the concrete roadmap in the Communication in June. The first European Economic Semester will be introduced as of January 2011. The Commission will adopt on 29 September a package of legislative proposals transforming the most urgent policy proposals into concrete legal instruments. The European Semester brings together all elements of economic surveillance: the fiscal discipline of the SGP, the structural reforms of Europe 2020 and a new mechanism to prevent macro-imbalances which will be fully embedded in the surveillance cycle. The semester aims at prior policy guidance and preventive budgetary surveillance, with the crucial role of European and national parliaments. As part of the legislative package, a new “toolbox” of sanctions will be proposed and incentives for compliance with the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). Strengthened enforcement mechanisms for fiscal rules are a central element of the proposals.

The event: 12h30: Press Conference by President José Manuel Barroso and Commissioner Olli Rehn at the Berlaymont Press room in Brussels. IP and the Communication on the day Video and photo coverage by EbS

The sources: Website of DG ECFIN: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/index_en.htm

Website of Commissioner Rehn: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/rehn/index_en.htm The contacts: Amadeu Altafaj + 32 2 295 2658 [email protected] Catherine Bunyan + 32 2 299 6512 [email protected]

Monday 4 – Thursday 7 October 2010: OPEN DAYS –the European Week of Cities and Regions

The news: Organised by the European Commission's Regional Policy Department and the Committee of the Regions, the 8th annual "Open Days – the European Week of Cities and Regions" takes place on 4-7 October under the heading “Europe 2020: competitiveness, cooperation and cohesion for all regions”. More than 130 seminars will be organised, presenting good practice from EU-funded regional development programmes. Competitiveness day (5 October): focus on innovation, regional development and green economic growth in Europe's cities and regions; Cooperation day (6 October): focus on interregional, cross-border and macro-regional cooperation; Cohesion day (7 October): focus on territorial and social cohesion and how to better integrate different policies at local and regional level.

The background: One of the biggest events of its kind, Open Days brings together regional and local stakeholders from across Europe to share good practice and exchange ideas. Over 6 000 European, national and regional policy-makers and representatives of academia, business and civil society will be taking part. On the eve of the debate on the future EU budget, OPEN DAYS will provide an ideal forum for sharing ideas on the shape of the post-2013 European cohesion policy and on the role of Europe's cities and regions in delivering the Europe 2020 strategy.

The event: Selected highlights: 4 October at 15.00 - 17.00: Opening Session in the European Parliament's Hemicycle. Keynote speakers will include: José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission; Rudy Demotte, Minister-President of the Walloon Region; Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy; Mercedes Bresso, President of the Committee of the Regions; Danuta Hübner, Chair of the European's Parliament's Committee on Regional Development; Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and; Philippe Maystadt, President of the European Investment Bank. 5 October 12.30-13.00: Press Panel on the "EU Strategy for the Danube Region" in the Schuman room, Berlaymont building, European Commission 5 October 14.30-16.00: "How do EU funds deliver in your country" (meetings with Commission experts arranged upon registration) in the European Commission, Directorate General for Regional Policy, Avenue de Tervuren 41 6 October 12:30-13:00: Press panel on "cohesion policy uniting divided communities: the experience of football" in the Schuman room, Berlaymont building, European Commission, Rue de la Loi 200 6 October 16:00-18:30: Special plenary on "Promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth: a challenge for all Europe's regions" in the Charlemagne building, European Commission, Rue de la Loi 170 Available on EbS

The sources: See the Open Days website for the full Open Days and media programme: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/od2010/index.cfm?nmenu=1&sub=10

For accreditation: [email protected]

Website of Commissioner Hahn: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/hahn/index_en.cfm

The contacts: Ton Van Lierop +32 2 29 66565 [email protected] Malgorzata Miazek +32 2 29 84449 [email protected]