ECRN - Working Group Meeting

The ECRN Working Group has met in Brussels to discuss ongoing activities and priority topics for the second half of 2007. The network has received the offer to extend the Interreg Project until the end of 2007 and the partners have agreed on a work plan and budget allocation. The partners have intensively discussed the participation of the ECRN in the upcoming High Level Group on the chemical industry that should start its work in September. The ECRN wants to play an active role in representing the interest of chemical regions. The partnership has discussed the future perspective of a follow up project in the framework of Interreg IVC. It is the plan to implement the approach of European Technology Platforms "Sustainable Chemistry" at regional level. Dr. Marian Mours from Cefic has articulated its support in view of a joint cooperation. Mrs. Mirjam de Jong from VAPRO presented the results of two Leonardo projects in the chemical industry. There has been a strong interest for the joint discussion and application of results between the ECRN and the project. Simon Marsh from the European Chemical Employers Group presented the ongoing activities of the Social Dialog of the European Chemical Industry. The ECRN and ECEG have agreed to identify potential areas for joint cooperation. Finally the network partners have discussed several proposals for future cooperation project in the area Land Improvement, Skills Development, REACH Implementation, Econtent and Regions of Knowledge. The partners are committed to intensify cooperation and exchange of experience with the help of new projects.