Thursday 8 November 2007

09.00-09.10

Introduction by Gerardo Galeote, Chairman of the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) - European Parliament

09.10-09.20

Intervention by Dr Michael Schneider, Vice Chairman of the Commission on Territorial Cohesion (COTER) - Committee of the Regions

09.20-10.45

First Panel - Fourth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion "How should the Union's cohesion policy adapt to new challenges and maximize its impact? The launch of the debate and some initial answers to the key questions of the Report" (in the chair: Mr Ambroise Guellec MEP, EP rapporteur for the Fourth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion)

09.20-09.35

Mr John Bachtler, Professor of European Policy Studies, Director European Policies Research Centre

09.35-09.50

Dr Bernd Steinacher, Speaker of the German Metropolitan Regions, President of METREX

09.50-10.05

Mr Jacques Robert, Director of TERSYN Agence Européenne "Territoires et Synergies"

10.05-10.35

Debate

10.35-10.45

Conclusion by Mr Ambroise Guellec MEP

10.45-12.30

Second Panel - The post 2013 reform: new ideas for the future cohesion policy "What might be the new orientation for cohesion policy? How serious is the prospect of renationalisation? Will the Lisbon strategy and cohesion policy be eventually merged? How can cohesion policy be financed and operate, especially in view of the future enlargements? The need to elaborate today some new, innovative proposals for the post 2013 reform." (in the chair: Mr Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP, EPP-ED spokesperson for cohesion policy)

10.55-11.10

Mr Gerhard Untiedt, Director of GEFRA - Institute for Financial and Regional Analyses

11.10-11.25

Mr Jan van den Biesen, Vice President Public R&D Programmes of Philips Research

11.25-11.40

Mr Luk Palmen, Project Manager, RIS Silesia Management Unit, Silesia Voivodeship

11.40-12.15

Debate

12.15-12.30

Final Conclusions by Mr Lambert van Nistelrooij MEP, EPP-ED spokesperson for cohesion policy

(interpretation: FR DE IT NL EN EL ES CS HU PL BG RO)

12.45-13.15

Press Conference