European Week of Regions and Cities

5.25.35pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 12th Aug 2007

The UK will be one of the most active participants in the European Week of Regions and Cities in October. In addition to 150 seminars and events in Brussels, local and regional authorities, from across the UK, will hold about 100 local OPEN DAYS events throughout October. In total, 212 regions and cities from 33 countries have signed up as partners. The event promotes best practice in regional development, as well as highlighting how the EU can help local government to foster innovation and create new jobs. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said: "The week epitomises the Europe of results that we are building together. I am convinced that the regional and local authorities have a vital role to play in making Europe's citizens more aware of how the EU is relevant to them. We can offer them real results and solutions. That is why we have called this year's event 'MAKING IT HAPPEN: regions deliver growth and jobs'. That says it all."