Our experience can also be important for this Committee. We have defined very simple objectives: working in project teams, and establishing the targets for each project on a step by step basis. The projects we develop are straightforward and practical with short-term schedules. I would also like to thank the previous Committee President who developed the projects that we will continue with, such as the anti-alcohol project, or the project on protection from domestic violence. Concerning anti-drug measures, it is essential for Eastern Europe to be aware of the experience of Western Europe in order to reduce the consumption of drugs.

How do you analyse the current situation in terms of social policy and public health in Europe?

Global analysis is difficult. I feel that we should only mention projects. We need to be fully aware of all sources of experience and find practical solutions together.

You were elected as Committee President in November 2006, your home country has never previously reached such a high political level within the AER. Why did you run for the position and what are your expectations?

27 of the Romanian regions (out of the total 39) have previously participated at AER plenary sessions and committee meetings. I believe that it is time for Romania to be present on the AER Presidium and Bureau to allow the AER to benefit from our knowledge.

Committee 2 on "Social Policy and Public Health" considers aspects which are important for Romania, aspects which we must develop using the experience of the other countries in the European Union.

solutions between Regions. Our experience can also allow future policies to be satisfactorily prepared, for example, by the European Commission. An added benefit of the AER is the fact that the organisation includes Regions from countries in the European Union, but also from candidate countries and non-EU member countries.

Could you tell us about your Region?

My Region is called Timis and the capital is Timisoara. Our Region is home to 658 837 inhabitants. Half of the population lives in the capital. Timis is located in west Romania on the border with Hungary and Serbia. We are part of a Euroregion named after the four rivers crossing it. After Bucharest, in my opinion, our Region is the most developed in Romania. It is multi-cultural and multi-ethnic as proved by its 31 ethnic and 17 religious groups. Due to our geographical situation, many inhabitants speak a foreign language. Timisoara is home to 50 000 students,

Projects for 2007

- Create a working group on E-health

- Create a peer review network for the assessment of prevention measures for the harmful effects of alcohol

- Contribute to the political development of the EU in terms of health services of general interest

- Contribute to the development of a European legal framework for social services of general interest

- Meet demographic challenges by promoting the activity of older individuals

- Participate in forums with EU actors in the fields of health and social affairs

- Create a regional network for emergency planning

How do you see the Europe of the Regions?

I feel that it is essential to have a Europe of the Regions. I personally consider that unless the Regions have the power to make decisions, Europe as such cannot exist. In the future in Romania, we will need a political decision to enable interregional action. The regions are far closer to the problems of citizens than national authorities.

The AER is the largest interregional organisation and a means of finding

four state universities and five private universities. We currently have an extensive range of investors from throughout the world.

In historic terms, I would also like to mention the Romanian revolution of December 1989, without which we would not have been here to speak out today.