Minister of State for European Affairs to present Irish Priorities to the Committee of the Regions

Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, will present the Presidency priorities to the Committee of the Regions on 31 January in Brussels.

31-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton will appear before the Committee of the Regions on 31 January to present Ireland’s ‌Presidency programme and to highlight the key role of local and regional authorities in delivering on the Presidency’s priorities of Stability, Jobs and Growth in Europe.

In her address, the Minister, whose first elected office was to Dublin City Council, will highlight the positive effects of regional and cohesion funding for Ireland’s regions, and the need for early implementation of future cohesion policy to drive economic growth and job creation in communities across the EU.

The Irish Presidency is driving a jobs and growth agenda, and cohesion funding lies at the very heart of this agenda, not least in fulfilling the Europe 2020 objectives for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The Minister of State will also welcome the role played by the Committee of the Regions in the development of an Atlantic Strategy to deliver sustainable economic growth and development in communities in the EU’s five Atlantic states.

The Presidency’s approach to issues including decisions on the EU’s future financing, tackling youth unemployment and reform of the Common Agriculture and Common Fisheries Policies will also be discussed.

Background

The Committee of the Regions brings together 344 elected representatives from regions in all Member States, including 18 Irish members from local and city authorities.

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Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton, will present the Presidency priorities to the Committee of the Regions on 31 January in Brussels.