Top EU officials welcome new 'world regions' group

Top EU figures have welcomed the creation of a new body representing 12 regional organisations from around the world.

The forum of global associations of regions (FOGAR) has been set up to help regional authorities meet the "challenges" of globalisation.

It includes organisations like the Rennes-based conference of peripheral maritime regions, and the association of European border regions.

But it also comprises similar organisations in far-flung parts of the world, such as the northern forum, an association of regions from the arctic zone, which covers an area from Alaska to Korea.

Speaking at its inaugural meeting in Brussels, Luc Van den Brande, newly-elected president of the committee of the regions, said he welcomed the initiative.

Van den Brande, also president of Flanders, said it underlined the importance of regions in the European project and the fact that this could be used as a "model" for non-European countries.

His comments were echoed by Eneko Landaburu, director general of the commission’s external relations directorate.

He said, "I am surprised to see how people outside Europe are interested in our adventure and in what we have done."

Dirk Ahner, director general of the regional affairs directorate, said, "This new organisation will promote twinning between regions at the world level."

The chairman of FOGAR is Italian Claudio Martini, current president of the CPMR, who said,"The association will ensure that the voice of regions is heard."

He said it would also help promote cooperation between the various regions of the world.

CPMR head of communications Enrico Mayrhofer said, "More than ever, global challenges require regional answers and the regions are better able to respond."

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