Change of presidency
On 11 July, the Rhône-Alpes Region assumed the rotating presidency of the Four Motors for Europe in Barcelona. The handover from the Catalan government to the Rhône-Alpes executive ushers in a year with a strong focus on green innovation and the search for alternative ways to achieve economic development in our regions that is innovative, environmentally friendly and creates jobs. During the one-day meeting, the elected officials of the Four Motors for Europe discussed the progress status of work under way in the network’s various working groups, along with upcoming projects. The gathering was also an opportunity for the President of the Rhône-Alpes Region to present his programme for the coming year. The main focus areas of the Rhône-Alpes presidency will be sustainable innovation and the role of the Four Motors within the European Union. Three major events will take place during this presidency:
· The European Conference of Regions on Climate Action (20-21 October 2011)
· An institutional, economic and technical mission led by the Four Motors for Europe in South America with the Four Motors for Mercosur (27-30 February 2012)
· The Rhône-Alpes innovation week, including the Rendez-vous Carnot and the Grenoble Innovation Fair (October 2012) These initiatives are part of the agreement’s policy to focus on developing the four regions’ economic fabric, mainly through sustainable innovation. For 2011-2012, the focus will also be on strengthening the Four Motors’ role in building Europe. This will involve:
· Producing common position statements voicing the agreement’s views on EU policies in the making (on cohesion, initiatives to help SMEs expand into international markets, the future of the CAP, the common research policy, etc.)
· Meeting with European MPs to promote the agreement’s joint work
