What are the activities of the working group you chair?

The group currently focuses on three issues:

- contribution of the Regions to the Millennium Development Goals defined by the United Nations (International Solidarity Network);

- defence of the interests of the Mediterranean Regions;

- cooperation with Regions in Eastern Europe.

With the first issue, I would like to underline that one essential point concerns the coordination of Member Regions on specific projects, particularly in the context of the "Support to territorial networks" (ART) initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Visits will be regularly organised to improve our knowledge of the hands-on operation of UNDP projects and

ensure that the ART context is appropriate (in Serbia, Morocco, etc.).

What priorities have been defined for the new strategy for 2007-2012?

Until 2006, the working group was known as the "Regional partnerships" group and it focused on the legal and institutional aspects of interregional cooperation. In 2003, the group published its report demonstrating the lack of coordination and shared resources between the Regions in terms of projects.

From this date, the group has assessed the new cooperation instruments launched by the EU and has drafted AER positions, particularly on the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) and the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGCT).

Following the signing of an agreement of principle between the AER and the UNDP in 2004, the Member Regions of the working group expressed their intention to study together the possibilities for cooperation in terms of assistance for development.

Europe exists, and we must work together at several levels, via the AER (European Regions) and the national associations representing the Regions, like the ARF in my country.

This issue has become one of the main

focal points for current work. An "International Solidarity"* network was created in Dijon, on 16 October 2006. This change was confirmed when the AER was restructured in November 2006. The group is now known as the "International relations" group. I personally consider this as the first step towards logical, structured and consistent solidarity.

Why have you taken up this role within the AER?

I feel that, as an institution, we cannot remain indifferent to the inequalities which are omnipresent throughout the world, and we have a duty to act together to combat these inequalities.

These exchanges have personally allowed me to meet many individuals who have taught me many things. I could mention Jamila Hassoune as an example. She travels to meet families in villages in Morocco with her Civic caravan. The caravan also distributes information on contraception for mothers, on AIDS protection and the risks of large towns, etc.