Scotland and Tuscany sign Action Plan
Action Plan signed by
The Scottish Executive
&
The Regional Government of Tuscany
June 19
th 2003
2003 - 2004
Preamble
Tuscany and Scotland
, considering that inter-regional co-operation
can contribute to a better mutual knowledge and understanding;
recognising that they both enjoy a rich artistic and cultural
heritage and wish to maximise the contribution of culture in
education practice and to foster creativity in their young
people; and desirous of promoting sustainable economic growth
and job creation; and, having signed on 15
th November 2003 a Co-operation Agreement, hereby
commit to broaden and deepen their links through the following
Action Plan:
SPECIFIC AREAS FOR CO-OPERATION
(1) Economic development and innovation
1. To identify and pursue comparative research strategies
for economic development to bring benefits for policy in each
country. An exchange of information and identification of
issues on the best practice for economic development in
Scotland and Tuscany. This will include a comparison of Tuscan
'industrial districts' and Scottish local development
agencies.
2. To pursue joint Scottish-Tuscan joint action on
innovation both under the Sixth Framework Partnership programme
and the Innovative Actions programme financed by DG Regio of
the European Commission.
3. To pursue joint action under the European Leader Plus
with the aim of promoting innovation and development in
agriculture and rural affairs.
4. To pursue joint action under INTERREG IIIC in support of
interregional joint projects of mutual interest.
(2) Arts and Culture
1. To promote and co-ordinate contacts to allow for the
identification of opportunities for the exchange of skills,
knowledge and expertise between cultural institutions,
organisations and bodies. In particular, to:
co-operate on the bringing to Scotland of the Gardens of
Tuscany exhibition and the Etruscan masterpieces
exhibition;
work in partnership with the municipal administrations of
Edinburgh and Florence - to support the running of 'Tuscan
week';
facilitate work to promote digital access to culture;
and
encourage and expand the exchange of paintings and cultural
artefacts between Scotland and Tuscany.
(3) Cultural Education
- To pursue current co-operation under the
SOCRATES/MINERVA programme; to explore how this work
can be expanded and continued beyond its current
funding period.
- To explore possible collaboration in the field of
lifelong learning.
(4) European Union and international policies of
common interest
- To liaise between the administrations of Scotland
and Tuscany to maximise the impact of common positions
on the Convention on the Future of Europe and identify
and pursue interests common to both administrations'
work on the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime
Regions and the Group of Regions with Legislative
Power.
- To hold joint initiatives of the European Union
offices of the two regions with the aim of informing
the European Commission, Member States and regional
partners about the priority fields mentioned in the
present Action Plan.
First Minister of
Scotland
Jack
McConnell
Presidente della Regione Toscana
Claudio Martini
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