The South East is strengthening its links with Europe with a new six year strategy to be launched by Minister
for Europe Keith Vaz next week.

Devised by the South East England Regional Assembly and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), the strategy is aimed at ensuring that the region punches its weight in Europe - influencing policy,
as well as maximising the social and economic opportunities Europe has to offer.

The Joint Europe Committee of the Regional Assembly and SEEDA consulted widely on the strategy document, which is being launched on 5 March, at Lancaster House, The Mall, and London.

If the South East is to continue to prosper as a region, it needs to be alert to the European agenda and influential within it. The European Strategy for the South East 2001-2006 has been produced to help
achieve this.

Minister for Europe, Keith Vaz, said: "I am delighted to endorse this European Strategy for South East England. It is an excellent example of the close collaboration between economic and social partners across the South East to maximise the benefits of membership of the European Union."

Councillor Ken Bodfish OBE, Co-Chair of the Joint Europe Committee, and Deputy Chairman of SEEDA said: "
This European Strategy for the South East will strengthen our ability and promote the interests of the region in Europe and influence policies and programmes. We have a wealth of expertise, best practice and examples
of successful European activities to share throughout the South East and with other regions of Europe.

"We can harness this experience to speak with authority and influence the policy makers within the European and national institutions."

Councillor Don Turner, Co-Chair of the Joint Europe Committee, and member of the Executive of the South East England Regional Assembly said: "This comprehensive strategy explores the opportunities Europe has to offer the South East and the contribution the region makes to Europe. We look forward to working with partners to build on their experience for the good of the region's citizens and businesses."

The next stage of the process is to work with partners to devise a European Strategy Action Plan to prioritise the implementation of the strategies and identify who will lead on taking forward the various activities.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
   
   
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
   
   
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
   
   
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
   
   
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007

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