This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Conference for European Regions
14/11/2002
Scotland can boost its economy while making a
significant contribution to a modern European Union which
is close to its citizens through building close links with
other European regions, First Minister Jack McConnell
said today.
The First Minister was speaking as he left for the third
annual Conference for Regions with Legislative Power where
he will also sign a co-operation agreement covering
economic issues, arts and culture with Claudio Martini,
President of the Italian region of Tuscany.
Speaking in advance of signing the agreement, Mr
McConnell outlined the benefits which he said co-operation
will bring:
"Tuscany and Scotland are united in their desire to
pursue and promote sustainable economic growth and job
creation. We have much to offer and much to learn to boost
our respective economies.
"Scotland and Tuscany have traditional industries such
as textiles in common, where we will look to develop new
markets and share expertise in the development of
pioneering new materials. In newer sectors such as
bio-technology there are opportunities for companies based
in Tuscany taking advantage of the world class research
facilities which we have in Scotland.
"Both Scotland and Tuscany also enjoy a rich artistic
and cultural heritage - and we want to build on this. Both
are home to architecture, museums, galleries and sites of
interest which attract visitors from all over the world. We
have much to learn from one another about how we can
develop this cultural tourism to the benefit of our
economies.
"Today's agreement with Tuscany demonstrates the clear
way in which devolution allows Scotland to develop links on
areas of mutual policy interest, bringing tangible benefits
for both areas."
Turning to the business of the conference itself, Mr
McConnell said:
"Today the regions of Europe are coming together to put
on record our views on the debate about the future of
Europe.
"Each of our regions has experience of handling devolved
powers - of making government more accessible for and
accountable to the people whose lives we aim to improve. In
this respect we have a vital role to play in modernising
the European Union due to our first hand experience of
engaging citizens more closely in decision making.
"Our unique perspective offers solutions which the
Future of Europe Convention needs to consider seriously as
they prepare proposals to modernise the treaties to make
them fit for the new century. As regions we also need to be
prepared to focus our attention on the powers which really
matter to make the EU work better."
The conference in Florence will adopt a Declaration
setting out a range of proposals which reflect the range of
regional perspectives on the reform of the EU.
Many of the proposals closely match the Scottish
Executive's position on the Future of Europe, such as the
need for scrutiny of EU legislation at an early stage in
the legislative process, observation of strict subsidiarity
rules, greater use of framework legislation and early
consultation of regional authorities on EU policy.
The group has produced a document that meets the
objectives of all of its many members, demonstrating very
clearly the long-term willingness and ability of the
regions with legislative power to work together on major
issues.
On October 4 Mr McConnell presented to the Commission
for Constitutional Affairs and European Governance of the
Committee of Regions the terms of the opinion
More Democracy, Transparency and Efficiency in the
European Union which he was asked to prepare on its
behalf. The Committee for the Regions backed his proposals
unanimously.
The report will now be reflected in the view given by
the Committee of the Regions to the Convention on the
Future of Europe which is preparing proposals for treaty
changes when new member states join the Union in 2004.