The Commission and the Parliament bring together the three monotheistic religions to discuss the economic and financial crisis The news: Around twenty senior figures from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions from twelve Members States (France, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Romania) and from Russia, will meet in the Berlaymont in Brussels to talk about the economic and financial crisis and the ethical contributions for European and global economic governance. Among the religious dignitaries present: · The Right Reverend Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hulme, Church of England; · Prof. Wolfgang Huber, Bishop of Berlin-Brandenburg and Chairman of the German Evangelical church; · Dr Jean-Arnold de Clermont, President of the Conference of European Churches; · Chakib Benmakhlouf, President of the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe; · Gilles Bernheim, Chief Rabbi of France; · His Eminence Nifon, Patriarchal Exarch for relations with the European Institutions; · His Excellency Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin. The meeting will be chaired by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission and Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament. The background: This is the fifth in a series of annual meetings launched by President Barroso in 2005. However, this year's interfaith meeting has a particular significance, because as President Barroso said: "The turbulence that afflicted the financial system in recent months and the resulting economic crisis are having a serious impact on our society; they affect not only the markets and the investors, but indeed the daily life of all our fellow citizens. In fact, as this crisis progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the moment has come to reconcile economic governance with our fundamental ethical values on which the European project has been based upon over the last 50 years". Moreover, it has become clear that religions and faith communities, like civil society as a whole, play a key role in the search for sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by Europe and the wider world. This is why the conference has, on this occasion, been given the title "Economic and financial crisis: ethical contributions for European and global economic governance". The event: The meeting will be held in the Berlaymont building, rue de la Loi 200, from 10.00 to 14.00. For the all list of religious dignitaries present, please contact jens.mester@ec.europa.eu The press conference and the group photograph in formal dress will take place in the Berlaymont press room from 12:15 to 13:00. Ebs coverage The sources: IP/08/676 ­ former meeting in 2008 on climate change and reconciliation with European faith leaders President Barroso's website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/index_en.htm The contacts: Johannes Laitenberger +32 2 296 5745 johannes.laitenberger@ec.europa.eu Jens Mester +32 2 296 3973 jens.mester@ec.europa.eu 15 - Hoofdinhoud

Around twenty senior figures from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions from twelve Members States (France, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Romania) and from Russia, will meet in the Berlaymont in Brussels to talk about the economic and financial crisis and the ethical contributions for European and global economic governance.

Among the religious dignitaries present:

• - 

  The Right Reverend Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hulme, Church of England;
• - 

  Prof. Wolfgang Huber, Bishop of Berlin-Brandenburg and Chairman of the German Evangelical church;
• - 

  Dr Jean-Arnold de Clermont, President of the Conference of European Churches;
• - 

  Chakib Benmakhlouf, President of the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe;
• - 

  Gilles Bernheim, Chief Rabbi of France;
• - 

  His Eminence Nifon, Patriarchal Exarch for relations with the European Institutions;
• - 

  His Excellency Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin.

The meeting will be chaired by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission and Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament.

This is the fifth in a series of annual meetings launched by President Barroso in 2005. However, this year's interfaith meeting has a particular significance, because as President Barroso said: "The turbulence that afflicted the financial system in recent months and the resulting economic crisis are having a serious impact on our society; they affect not only the markets and the investors, but indeed the daily life of all our fellow citizens. In fact, as this crisis progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the moment has come to reconcile economic governance with our fundamental ethical values on which the European project has been based upon over the last 50 years". Moreover, it has become clear that religions and faith communities, like civil society as a whole, play a key role in the search for sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by Europe and the wider world. This is why the conference has, on this occasion, been given the title "Economic and financial crisis: ethical contributions for European and global economic governance".

The meeting will be held in the Berlaymont building, rue de la Loi 200, from 10.00 to 14.00.

For the all list of religious dignitaries present, please contact jens.mester@ec.europa.eu

The press conference and the group photograph in formal dress will take place in the Berlaymont press room from 12:15 to 13:00.

Ebs coverage

IP/08/676 – former meeting in 2008 on climate change and reconciliation with European faith leaders

President Barroso's website:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/index_en.htm

Johannes Laitenberger    +32 2 296 5745              johannes.laitenberger@ec.europa.eu

Jens Mester                  +32 2 296 3973              jens.mester@ec.europa.eu

Monday 11 and Thursday 12 May: The whole world wants to learn the success of the EU regional policy

For the first time, the European Commission will hold a conference on "Regional Governance in a Global Context". It will bring together representatives from countries such as Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and many others, and regional organisations such as MERCOSUR and the African Union.

The aim is to look at the experience of EU regional policy and similar policies in other parts of the world in a context of growing interest in regional policy in the EU's external relations.

Key players from outside the Union (such as China, Russia, Brazil) have expressed strong interest to learn more about how EU regional policy has helped to foster balanced regional development in the European Union.

A key theme will be to reflect on how to organise effective systems of governance capable of implementing regional development policies. As well as examining the EU's experience in this field, the conference will look at different models of development, at ways of sharing experience in cross-border co-operation, and the role of European regions in fostering direct partnerships with regions elsewhere.

This two-day conference is organised by the Directorate-General for Regional Policy in co-operation with the Directorate-General for Development, the Committee of the Regions and the Forum of Global Associations of Regions (FOGAR). Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner will provide the opening keynote speech and closing address.

            EbS coverage of Danita Hübner's speech and of the presse-conference

IP/08/1737 : Danuta Hübner in China: strengthening cooperation on regional challenges at the 3rd EU-China High Level Seminar on regional policy

SPEECH/08/504 : "European and Latin American regions – co-operating in the global world"

More information on the conference available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/globalreggov/index_en.htm

More information on international affairs in EU Regional Policy available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/international/index_en.htm

Dennis Abbott                +32 2 29 59258              dennis.abbott@ec.europa.eu

Constantina Avraam       +32 2 29 59667              constantina.avraam@ec.europa.eu