Page 50 - Donegal CC An Rpt 19

Donegal County Council Annual Report 2019
Delegates visiting Donegal for the CPMR Political Bureau Meeting in June
Donegal County Council hosted the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) Political Bureau meeting in Donegal in June. Approximately 80 delegates from across Europe attended this meeting of political representatives and focused on
a range of issues including the future of European Territorial Co-operation, the future on Ten-T’s as well as Fisheries and the EMFF for the Post 2020 period.
Donegal County Council has been a member of the CPMR since 1998 working in joint membership with the North West Regional Assembly. The CPMR brings together
some 160 regions from 25 states from
the European Union and beyond ensuring that the needs and interests of its member regions are taken into account in policies with a high territorial impact focusing mainly on social, economic and territorial cohesion, maritime policies and blue growth and accessibility.
Through its extensive network of contacts within the EU institutions and national governments, the CPMR has been an important vehicle for Donegal in helping ensure that the county’s interests are taken on board in the formulation of policies that could have a significant impact for the region.
Delegates were encouraged to fly into Donegal Airport to experience for themselves the world’s most scenic landing and they were warmly welcomed at a reception hosted by Donegal County Council in Harvey’s Point in Donegal Town. They
also had an opportunity to explore some
of Donegal’s most stunning landscapes including a visit to Sliabh Liag on the final day of their trip.
Research and Policy Unit
The Atlantic Area Trail Gazers Project which is led by the Council’s Research and Policy Unit was officially launched on 24 June in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana
by Cathaoirleach Cllr. Nicholas Crossan. This €2.6 million project is funded by the Atlantic Area Programme and takes place across 10 different regions in Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Portugal and Spain and seeks to examine how strategic investment in walking and recreational trail infrastructure can attract new visitors and stimulate development of small rural towns and villages.