Investing in Europe - Investing in people! The Future of the European Cohesion Policy

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DRAFT AGENDA - 15 SEPTEMBER 2017, VALENCIA

STUDY VISIT

14.30–17.00         Study visits illustrating the implementation on the ground of the structural funds

Bus transfers to the sites. A choice has to be made while registering for the Together event.

a) Valencia port

The leading terminal in the Mediterranean. It is the fifth busiest seaport in Europe, being also the largest in Spain and in the Mediterranean Sea basin. The extension of the North part received the support of the EFRD, this extension has allowed to take away from the road many transport of goods reducing pollution. The Valencia port is part of the priority axis of the TEN-T network.

b) La Albufera Natural Park

The park is home to the largest lake in Spain and one of the most important wetland areas in the Iberian Peninsula. It is a place of great ecological interest with rare species of wading birds and a rich variety of wildlife. Its waters have been traditionally worked by fishermen and rice growers.   Nevertheless, the park in turn is bordered to the north and west by the city of Valencia, with nearly 1.5 million inhabitants, and significant industrial activity. During the last programming period, the EFRD funded the sustainable conservation and management of public lands and water catchment areas, by reducing contamination of the waters entering into Lake Albufera. This has facilitated the establishment of an environment more suited to the development of both animal and plant life, which has had a direct impact on the quality of life of the local population, who benefits from an environment of higher quality.

TOGETHER EVENT PROGRAMME

Interpretation from DE, EN, FR, ES, IT to DE, EN, FR, ES, IT

17.00-17.05          “TOGETHER” video

17.05-17.10          Introduction by the moderator

17.10-17.30          Welcome by

Catiuscia Marini, President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions

Ximo Puig i Ferrer, President of the Regional Government of Valencia

Gianni Pittella, President of the S&D Group

17.30-17.45            Keynote speech by Pedro Sánchez, Secretary General of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party PSOE  (tbc)

17.45-18.20            Postcards from European Cities and Regions illustrating the added value of the European Structural Funds for the economic, social and territorial cohesion in Europe

Sevilla, Spain by Juan Espadas, Mayor and CoR member

Thuringia, Germany by Babette Winter, State Secretary for Europe and Culture and CoR member

Constanţa, Romania by Decebal Fagadau, Mayor and CoR member

Northern Periphery & Arctic region by Kenny Boyd, senior research felllow of the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France by Isabelle Boudineau, vice President of the region and CoR member

Malmö, Sweden by Ilmar Reepalu, former Mayor, local councillor and CoR member

18.20-19.00            Debate on the future of the European Cohesion Policy after 2020

Corina Cretu, European Commissioner for Regional policy

Constanze Krehl, MEP S&D Group, Member of the Committee on Regional Development and Coordinator of the S&D Group on Regional policy -tbc

Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the European Committee of the Regions

Isabelle Thomas, MEP, S&D Group Vice-President responsible for budget and cohesion policy

Followed by questions & answers from the audience in the room and via Twitter

19.00-19.10            Presentation ceremony for the Award “TOGETHER Ambassador“ by the S&D Group President Gianni Pittella and the President of the PES Group in the European Committee of the Regions, Catiuscia Marini

19.10-19.30            Presentation and adoption of the Statement on the future of the European cohesion policy by Iratxe García Pérez, MEP S&D Group, Head of PSOE delegation in the European Parliament – tbc

European Anthem [Ode to Joy]

19.30                Paella Valenciana & Live music