Deputy Provost Roger Knox recently accepted an invitation by European Union Commissioner Danuta Hubner to visit Brussels and discuss the future of EU Cohesion Policy that channels aid to economically disadvantaged areas. Councillor Knox was acting in his capacity as newly-appointed Scottish local government member on the EU's Committee of the Regions.

Cllr Knox told the commissioner that Scottish local authorities believe the methods used to determine funding under current EU policies should be simplified and definitions of which areas are eligible for cash broadened to achieve maximum benefit. He also said that Scottish councils believe structural funds are better managed if local communities are directly involved in programmes and projects.

Councillor Knox said: "I was pleased to hear subsequently from the commissioner that this was precisely her current line of thinking on the matter."

The deputy provost was also able to press the commissioner on other key areas of concern. "I told her that I was concerned about the possible closure of the Rosyth Ferry to Zeebrugge which would mean that Scotland would have no continental sea link for freight or passengers. This is contrary to the spirit of the proposed Lisbon Treaty which supports communication facilities in subsidiary regions like Scotland."

"Another point I raised was the threat to lifeline services and the economies of some of Scotland's most remote northern communities by the potential breakup of the CalMac ferry network."

ENDS

Issued by Rob Sinclair, Corporate Communications, 7 August, 2008
T. 01620 827741 M. 07887675547 email rsinclair@eastlothian.gov.uk