1. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) Open Days 2006 Making regions work across borders October 10 th, 2006 by JAN OLBRYCHT Member of the European Parliament

2. Why European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation? experiences of the Community initiative INTERREG III INTERREG III A – cross-border cooperation INTERREG III B – trans-national cooperation INTERREG III C – interregional cooperation

3. Why European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation? new programming period operational facilitation for Structural Funds 2007- 2013 (objective 3 – territorial cooperation) other actions according to Art. 159 of the EC Treaty

4. Why European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation? and experiences of the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Cooperation between Territorial Communities or Authorities (Madrid convention) of the Council of Europe proposal of the European Commission for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a European Grouping of Cross-border Cooperation

5. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Members Member States regional authorities local authorities bodies governed by public law with the meaning of the second subparagraph 1(9) of Directive 2004/18/EC of the EP and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of the public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts

6. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Objectives facilitation and promotion of territorial cooperation (cross-border, trans-national and/or interregional) between its members with its exclusive aim of strengthening economic and social cohesion

7. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Establishment at the initiative of its prospective members ex ante control by the Member State Member States approval of the participation in the EGTC acquisition of legal personality publication in the Official Journal of the European Union

8. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Tasks implementing territorial cooperation programmes or projects co-financed by the Community through the ERDF, ESF and/or Cohesion Fund carrying out any other action of territorial cooperation with or without Community financial intervention

9. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Control of management of public funds by the competent authorities of the Member State where the EGTC has its registered office Annual budget Liability unlimited, unless the national law under which a member is formed excludes or limits the liability of that member Organisation at least an assembly and a director

10. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Convention the name of the EGTC and its registered office the extent of the territory the objective and tasks of the EGTC, its duration and conditions governing its dissolution the list of the EGTCs members …

11. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation Statutes all the provisions of the conventions + the operating provisions of the EGTCs organs and their competences the decision-making procedures of the EGTC the working language or languages the arrangements for the members financial contribution and budgetary rules …

12. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation possibility of a prohibition of activities in contravention of MSs public policy and public interest by a competent body of the Member State Dissolution According to the provisions of the convention or by a competent court or authority of the Member State Application of jurisdiction Community legislation on jurisdiction + courts of the Member State where the EGTC has its registered office Entered into force on the 1.08.2006

13. Thank you European Parliament Bât. Altiero Spinelli 05F167 60, rue Wiertz B-1047 Bruxelles e-mail: jan.olbrycht@europarl.europa.eu