Gemeenten en hun communicatie over de EU en de Europese verkiezingen

At their annual conference, the mayors of France will discuss the challenges and the opportunities of European construction for local management.

Local elected officials have to integrate into their management and intervention the changes which arise from being part of the European Union. European legislation, especially in terms of services, has a direct impact on local decisions at a time when communities are setting up increasingly innovative systems to best meet the needs of citizens. Moreover, European funding offers many opportunities for towns wishing to launch local projects and there are numerous possibilities for cooperation with other European towns. The French mayors Association has therefore decided to devote a round table at its 91st conference to the topic "How to make the most of Europe?".

Nicolas Sarkozy will give a speech at 16:00 on Thursday 27 November in Hall 4 of the Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles (accreditations can be obtained from the press service of the Elysée Palace by calling +33 1 42 92 86 58). François Fillon and a number of representatives from the European Commission i and the European Parliament i will also take part in the discussions. The round table will be concluded by Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the French Minister of State for European Affairs.

A fair for mayors and local communities will be held on the sidelines of the conference. Members of the Information Office of the European Parliament will present to the public and elected officials the EU's role in regional development and the issues at stakes surrounding the European elections of June 2009. Ahead of the elections, specific actions will be carried out to encourage citizens to register on electoral lists.