General Assembly
CLOSING REMARKS
By Bent Hansen, NSC President
We are now in the
middle of the 11th General Assembly for the North Sea Commission. It has
been an organisation which has been in constant development throughout the
years. Through my leadership I have been working towards the NSC focusing
on:
- That
all regions around the North Sea participate in concrete activities.
- To
be an organisation which holds credibility and position. Also to be
regarded as a highly ranked partner within the National Authorities
and the EU Commission.
- Forum
for politicians with a focus on the development
of the regions with the co-operation around the North Sea as an
asset.
This
is my 7th Annual Report. This gives me an opportunity to look back on the
development since 1995.
- Together we have put the North Sea Region on the
map.
- We have created a European Programme, which supports the joint
development, which we would like and which we have decided to persue.
- Regional
policy is now at the top of the agenda. In every single country we
discuss the future of the regions and the challenges, which they face.
The NSC must be active in this debate.
We must make sure that we do not end up with centralisation, where
competences are moved from the elected regional authorities to
national authorities.
If
we take on this task, it demands dedicated political leadership of the NSC.
Considering
the importance of the active political debate from all partners in
the North Sea region, it can therefore not be taken for granted that the
President will come from the same region through all times.
It
is important to activate all resources – both political and
administrative.
Until next year’s General Assembly, where we will be electing the
President and Vice- Presidents, each of us must consider how to put
together the strongest team.
Mr Bent Hansen
NSC President
Leader of the County Council
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