Rurener

A two-days international forum entitled “A mountain full of energy” took place in Valtellina valley on the 18^th-19^th November. It was organised by Euromontana and Irealp, with the support of Lombardy Regional Administration and the Provincial Administration of Sondrio. The meeting involved members of the European Parliament, European Officials and experts in the sector, focussing on a common active effort to protect the peculiarities of the mountains, starting from a central issue: energy.

Mountain regions included in Euromontana decided to share concerns, critical issues and programs and to present themselves as a group, showing the strength of territories that do not want to surrender to difficulties but claim a leading role in the new Europe created by the Treaty of Lisbon. The result of this movement was a position paper, a true declaration of intents defining the possible

strategic guidelines for the project “Funding axis for mountain energy”, with reference to 2011 Budget of the European Union, which will start being discussed the forthcoming spring.

Fabrizio Ferrari, in his double role of Irealp President and vice-President of Euromontana, highlighted the relevance of this unique event, for the Provincial Administration of Sondrio and for Lombardy mountain areas: “All the mountain environments in Europe have their eyes on us – he underlined – because this document contains the seed for the future of our territories. Only a real recognition of the peculiarities of mountain areas from the European Union, stated by regulations and norms and supported by adequate funding opportunities, will ensure us a future. It’s high time the European Commission looks at the mountains with the right consideration, to enhance those peculiarities which, if adequately managed, would benefit the whole European context. Our effort could only start from energy, a crucial theme for the Old Continent but also for the whole world, and the choice of Valtellina valley as the venue for this international forum was not made by chance”.

The key of the meeting was the official presentation of the position document by President Marcon to the participating Members of the European Parliament, in order to define a dedicated fund. The International Forum was closed by the signing of the document by the members of Euromontana.

For further document: http://www.irealp.it/865,News.html;  http://www.irealp.it/866,News.html;  http://www.irealp.it/890,News.html