News Release : 13 March 2001

SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND SHOULD BE "MODEL FOR OTHER EUROPEAN REGIONS"

The South East of England can be a model for other British and European regions - this was the message from Britain's Minister for Europe, Keith Vaz MP, and guest speakers from the European Union's (EU) Committee of the Regions, at a major conference at Lancaster House, London.

Launching the South East's new groundbreaking European Strategy - prepared jointly by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the South East England Regional Assembly in consultation with partners - the Minister said that the South East region was "uniquely placed to play a leading role in Europe."

The South East, he said, was already recognised as "one of Europe's most dynamic and innovative regions" and this reputation had been strengthened by the publication of The European Strategy for South East England.

Opportunities for the South East's "world class" companies to do business in the EU would increase dramatically as a result of the enlargement of the Union to include countries in eastern Europe, "a single market of some 500 million people", the Minister explained

He praised the "impressive cast list" of SEEDA, the Assembly, local authorities and partners across the South East that, by coming together, had given the region "a stronger voice in Europe than ever before." This partnership was "set to become a role model for regions across the UK."

Mayor of Naestved in Denmark, Henning Jensen, echoed this view, saying the South East had "the potential to take the lead in Europe and set the right example for other regions." He highlighted the importance of cooperation between European regions in addressing social, environmental and economic issues, particularly job creation.

Emphasising the need for a strong relationship between regional and local authorities across the EU, the Mayor and Regional President of Chateaubriant in France, Martine Buron, said that European regions should show solidarity with one another, especially on issues such as the current agricultural crisis and the problem of
foot & mouth disease.

"Europe should be about solidarity and cooperation", she told the conference.

Conference delegates - including over 100 business, community leaders and local authority representatives from across the South East - heard that the region was due to receive over £200 million in EU funding over the next five years.

They also discussed the roles of the European Social Fund and Structural Funds in urban and rural regeneration throughout the South East, and the implications of the Single European Currency on the region's businesses.

Co-chairs of the conference, Deputy Chairman of SEEDA, Cllr Ken Bodfish OBE, and Member of the Regional Assembly, Cllr Jan Morgan, went on to outline the aims of the European Strategy and Action Plan, including:

- Creating and maintaining high and stable levels of economic growth and employment throughout the region;
- Protecting the environment and using its natural resources prudently;
- Creating a society that recognises the needs of everyone.

Based on extensive region-wide consultation, the Strategy was the first ever attempt to set out how the South East could maximise the opportunities that the EU has to offer, they explained. Building on substantial expertise already in the South East, the region aimed to have a more influential voice at the European level.

Its publication followed the opening, last autumn, of South East England House in Brussels. Established jointly by SEEDA, the Regional Assembly and regional partners, this office had given the South East its first direct representation in the EU, the conference heard.

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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