NEWS

The seminar organised in Aberdeen (Scotland) on 13 and 14 November 2008 by the CPMR “Energy” working group is being held at a particularly timely moment.

On the one hand, the European Parliament is currently carrying out examinations of the various legislative proposals of the “Energy/Climate” package. The CPMR has taken a very active approach to this issue, so that the role of the Regions is given more recognition in the promotion of a sustainable energy policy, to fully exploit the potential of maritime peripheries and in order to overcome various regulatory obstacles. Fortunately, the CPMR‘s commitment has just received the support of the Parliament’s ITRE Committee which has to a large extent included the proposals of our organisation in the Turmes Report.

On the other hand, the debate on the future of territorial cohesion policy is now underway with the European Commission’s recent publication of the Green Paper. This document also calls for comments and suggestions from the EU’s maritime peripheries.

In tackling the question of “How to reconcile the goals of territorial cohesion with the causes of climate change” during the seminar in Aberdeen, the CPMR find itself at a crossroads.

The CPMR intends to make the most of these two days to address this issue, from both a practical and theoretical point of view. The session of 13 November 2008 will focus on “Challenges and opportunities of offshore wind farms in maritime regions”, and will benefit from the experience of Aberdeen in this sector. Actors from the public and private sectors, fishermen’s associations and environmental protection organisations will be invited to put forward their opinions… and sometimes their differences too. A technical visit to Aberdeen harbour will follow the debates.
The session of 14 November 2008 will deal with “territorial cohesion and sustainable energy policy in the framework of the EU’s recent legislative proposals”. This session will also focus on the European Parliament’s current state of play with regard to the Energy/Climate package, as well as on the problems within the transport sector, and their possible solutions.
The Scottish Government, the European Parliament (through Ms Attwooll and Mr Smith) as well as the European Commission will take part in these discussions, which will be hosted by Aberdeen City Council.

The agenda, registration and additional information on the meeting are available on the following URL:
http://www.crpm.org/fr/index.php?act=6,1,2,97

Jean-Didier Hache, Director and
Executive Secretary of the CPMR Islands Commission
jdh@crpm.org