the “failure” of the visit of the presidents of the region to Brussels

(B2) They were a good ten representing, at the highest level, the French regions. A delegation led by Alain Rousset, the president of the Aquitaine region and president of the ARF (the assembly of the regions of France). On the menu, a meeting with Hans-Gert Pöttering, the President of the European Parliament, with Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy and a final with José-Manuel Barroso, the divine President of the European Commission. All this against the backdrop of a demonstration by fishermen, mainly French, in the street. Very interesting and enriching discussions on the future of structural funds and regional policy.

But not a word, not a word... about the fishermen, about the recurring problems of fishing. Yet a very European and very local problem at the same time. Nor on the side of the regional presidents (Alain Rousset did try to stammer in front of two journalists that he had mentioned the problem, but honestly he was not convincing, to say the least). As for the European Commissioners, they are not in a hurry to ask the French about the extent of the problem. An "oversight" which says a lot about the lack of "tact", of political "sense" of certain leaders... Too bad! Too bad for Europe which will again appear as a scapegoat.

(NGV)