Facilitator: Gérard VIATTE. Former Director at OECD, Adviser to the Swiss Federal Office of Agriculture and to FAO
Feed-back from the working groups
Ruggero SCHLEICHER-TAPPESER, Alpine Convention
Rui AZEVEDO, Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions
Fernando CAMPOS Association of Mountain Elected People (AEM), Mayor of Covilha

Frank GASKELL, President of Euromontana
Fernando RODRIGUES, President of ADRAT
João BATISTA, Presidente do Município de Chaves

 

Opening Session with Danuta Hübner	Workshop 5 on the future of mountain agriculture
Round table: Vision 2020 of the European mountains	Plenary session: current and better policies for mountains and fragile rural areas

 

Organised by:			Co-funded by;
in cooperation with:

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Euromountains.net

The Interreg IIIC project Euromountains.net (2004-2007) led by the Province of Turin and in support of which Euromontana has the role of technical coordinator concerns “networking European mountain regions in order to promote sustainable territorial development”. This cooperation programme includes 14 partner regions from six countries ( Scotland, Spain, France, Italy, Norway and Portugal). Mountain regions faced with the economic handicaps linked to their geographic and environmental situations have all across Europe had to innovate in developing various strategies in order to compensate for these difficulties. The territorial development has had to take into consideration, and adapt to, a specific local environment. Therefore, starting with the experiences of the project partners, the project aims to identify territorial management models in mountain areas as well as transferable success factors that can also be linked to public/private partnerships. Three themes have/ will be in particular studied.

Updated information is available at: www.euromountains.net

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THE EUROPEAN CHARTER FOR MOUNTAIN QUALITY FOOD PRODUCTS
OFFICIAL LAUNCHING IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Brussels, Belgium, 7 December 2005

The building of the European Parliament

The European Charter for Mountain Quality Food Products was launched on Wednesday 7 December under the protection of Robert DAUL, Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of the European Parliament and in presence of Jacques BARROT, Commissioner for Transport and Vice-President of European Commission. The Charter was signed by 54 states, regions and organisations from 11 countries, among the signatories present at the European Parliament were The Secretary of State of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development of Norway, The Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture of Romania and the representative of the cabinet of the Minister of Agriculture from France. Prominent MEPs led by Catherine GUY-QUINT , Vice-President of AEM, also signed the Charter along with the producer representatives COPA and COGECA

Programme and speeches:

Frank Gaskell, President of Euromontana - [EN]
Jean-Louis Cazaubon, Member of Euromontana Board in charge of the launch of the charter - [FR]
Jacques Barrot, European Commissioner for Transport, Vice President of the European Commission - [FR]
Catherine Guy-Quint, Vice President of AEM [FR]

Opening session of the signing ceremony:

Joseph Daul, President of the Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development at the European Parliament - [FR]
Nikiforos Sivenas, DG Agriculture, Director of Horizontal Aspects of Rural Development - [FR]
Inge Bartnes, Secretary of State, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norway - [EN]
Danut Apatrei, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Rural Development, Romania - [EN]
Daniel Metayer, Member of the Cabinet, Ministry of Agriculture, France - [FR]
Donal Cashman, COPA-COGECA, President of COGECA - [EN]
Lambert Van Nistelrooij, President of ARFE, Member of the European Parliament - [EN]


Downloads:

List of the participants
List of the signatories


Read more:

Press releases:
Launching of the European Charter for Mountain Quality Food Products [EN]
Launching of the European Charter for Mountain Quality Food Products - boosting mountain areas with a "champagne" development [EN] I [FR]

Newsletter on the event (special issue) EN I FR

The Charter:
Charter: DE I EN I ES I FR I IT

The Charter explanatory document: EN I FR

Photos from the launch event:

C. Guy-Quint, J. Daul, J. Barrot, F. Gaskell, J-L. Cazaubon	Speech of Jacques Barrot	Launching event participants
H. Benoit, ANEM, signing the Charter	D. Cashman, COGECA	Drew McFarlane Slack, The Highland Council
D. Apatrei signing the Charter on bahalf of Romanian government	J-L. Cazaubon, APCA, signing the Charter	M.Socie, CCI des Vosages

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REAPING THE BENEFITS OF EUROPE'S PRECIOUS PLACES
POLICIES RELEASING THE POTENTIAL OF MOUNTAIN AND REMOTER RURAL AREAS
working group - participation on invitation
Aviemore, Scotland, 10-11 November 2005

A Euromontana coordinated event sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Scottish Crofters Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Forestry Commission and the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department in association with FAO and the OECD. The meeting will be run on the established "sub rosa" basis where all are free to contribute without attributions. It had a form of a series of professionally facilitated discussion sessions, based around case study information and visits. This high level exchange provided an important opportunity for leading members of the international rural policy community to progress knowledge in this field at a time of considerable flux in rural policy development.

Policies releasing the potential of mountain and remote rural areas, Background Paper
November 2005, John Bryden, Laurent Van Depoele and Sophie Espinosa

Reaping the Benefits of Europe's Precious Places
November 2005, Report to DG Agri

 

Downloads:

Full document: 12 Case studies [EN] I [FR]

Case study 1:The Positive Externalities of Forestry on a Highland Estate - A Case Study of Rothiemurchus [EN] [FR]

Case study 2: A Case Study of Balliefurth Farm In the Highlands of Scotland [EN] I [FR]

Case study 3: A Change Management Agreement to Balance Conservation and Commercial Objectives: The Case of Strathspey Estate [EN] I [FR]

Case study 4: Pastoral animal herding in the Mediterranean zones of the Languedoc Roussillon region of France [EN] I [FR]

Case study 5: Case Study: Policy for the Delivery of Public Goods in the Uplands � the implications of the Social Capital of Traditional Hill Farming [EN] I [FR]

Case study 6: Wildlife tourism - a case study of Speyside Wildlife [EN] I [FR]

Case study 7: Innovative Structures for the Development of Rural Areas: the Case of the Teichalm - Sommeralm region in Austria [EN] I [FR]

Case study 8: A Case Study of the Sunart Oakwoods Initiative � Scotland [EN] I [FR]

Case study 9: Valuing forest public goods and externalities: an application to Mediterranean forests [EN] I [FR]

Case study 10: Recovering positive mountain externalities: reversing land degradation through payment for environmental services at the local level in Central America [EN] I [FR]

Case study 11: Japanese Terraced Rice Fields (TANADA) as amenities and policy measures for their preservation [EN] I [FR]

Case study 12: A Case Study on the �Use of Nature� Project in the Jostedalen area of Norway [EN] I [FR]

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Integrated Rural Development in the Mountain Areas of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans
Liptovský Mikulá, Slovakia. 24-26 October 2005

THEMES

AGENDA AND SLIDES

DOWNLOADS AND PHOTOS

PARTNERS

 

THEMES

The still relatively pristine mountain areas especially in the new Member Countries, candidate countries and the Balkans are threatened by the increasing tendency of regional development policy towards an over-concentration on growth-poles development. The unique communities and environments in these areas risk abandonment. This conference aims to bring new perspectives by concentrating on integrated development of all sectors - especially the role played by the nature protected areas - and diversification of the livelihoods in these areas. The wide partnership working on this event wants to bring the mountain predicaments, constraints and challenges onto the political agenda in Central and Eastern Europe.

Objectives

• Promote and offer good examples of integrated mountain development of diversification of livelihoods
• Foster multisectoral cooperation between mountain actors within Central and Eastern Europe and between the CEEC and Western European actors
• Analyse mountain policies within CEEC

Context

• The event will be connected to the Euromontana General Assembly, marking the 10th anniversary of Euromontana
• The conference will be preceded by the SARD-M / UNEP regional workshop on policy analysis on sustainable agriculture and rural development policies
• The conference is organised in the frames of Slovak Mountain Week.
  See also: Policy and public stakes of territorial convergence of Mountain Massifs in Central and Eastern European countries, organised by AEM, 27-28 October

 The following themes will be discussed:

• Current situation and challenges facing mountain areas in Central and Eastern Europe
• European rural development policies and programmes for the mountain areas in CEEC
• Integrated mountain area development - the role of different actors
• Nature, Culture and Traditions: the capital for sustainable mountain development?
• Evidence and good practice on the environmental and sustainable development frameworks
• Partenariat - practical session explaining the different networks and tools available for cooperation in Europe
• Specific training, education and research activities in support of the mountain areas in CEEC
• Subregional cooperation - identifing priority issues for cooperation in the Balkans and feasibility of the Balkan Convention
• Diversifying and adding value to mountain areas - new business opportunities, the role of women and youth

AGENDA AND SLIDES

Monday, 24th October

Strengthening policies for the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathians: workshop on the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) Policy Assessment in Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine
The Workshop, bringing together representatives of the agricultural and environmental fields, as well as of international organizations and NGOs, allowed for an informal, constructive and open exchange on regional approaches towards coordinated sustainable regional development schemes. The results and recommendations were reported to the main Conference "Integrated Rural Development in the Mountain Areas of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans". The workshop provided some valuable inputs and new perspectives to the debate, for example on how the globally recognized natural and cultural heritage of the Carpathians will contribute to the diversification of livelihood in the region.

See SARD-M website with more information

Tuesday 25th, October

8.00   Registration of participants
8.30   Introduction

Mr Fabrizi, President of Association of Agricultural Cooperatives and Trade Companies of Slovak Republic
Mr Frank Gaskell, President of Euromontana (speech)
Mayor of the Town Liptovský Mikulá�

9.30   Current situation and challenges facing mountain areas in Central and Eastern Europe

Moderator: Mr Fabrizi, President of Association of Agricultural Cooperatives and Trade Companies of the Slovak Republic

Romania - Mr. Danut Apetrei, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Romania
The sustainable development of Romanian mountain area

Poland - Dr Anna Krakowiak-Bal, Agricultural University of Krakow
Present situation and challenges of mountain areas in Poland

11.00   Coffee break
11.30   European rural development policies and programmes for the mountain areas in CEEC

Moderator: Frank Gaskell, President of Euromontana
Languages: English, Slovak, French

Antonis Constantinou, Director for rural development, DG Agriculture
EU Rural Develoment policies and their relevance to mountain areas in CEEC
Speech
Responses of EU rural development policy to the challenges facing mountain regions, based on a non-exhaustive analysis of their strengths  and weaknesses, opportunities and  threats.  The subject is dealt with in the light of the new EU rural development regulation for the 2007-2013 programming period.

Mr Ladislav Miko, Director, DG Environment
EU Rural Development Policy - an environmental view

Arve Skjerpen, Ministry of of local authorities and regional development (Norway)
Rural and Regional Development Policies � Experiences from Norway
Reaction from a round table of participants

13.00  Lunch
14.30  Integrated mountain area development � the role of different actors

Moderator: Thomas Egger, SAB

Bernard Bourget, Président de la 2ème section (agricultures, pêches et entreprises), Conseil général du génie rural, des eaux et des forêts, Ministére de L'Agriculture et de la Pechê
Le Haut Jura.Un exemple de développement rural intégré en moyenne montagne

Estelle Labourot, CNASEA - Centre national pour l'aménagement des structures des exploitations agricoles,
Presentation on Leader programme

Arnulf Hasler, Regionalmanagement Oststeiermark West (Austria)
Integrated Regional Management of the Austrian Region of Upper Styria West Supported by the Styrian Business Promotion Agency (SFG)  

16.00   Introduction to the workshops (Mountain Partnership)

16.15   Parallel Working Groups

1)  Protecting and building on mountain potentials - the example of regional cooperation for sustainable mountain development in the Carpathians
SARD-M Policy assessment on Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine

Dominique Legros, SARD-M Project, FAO
Gerard Viatte, Advisor to the SARD-M Programme
Harald Egerer, Interim Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, UNEP

The Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians concluded in 2003 by the seven Carpathian countries provides the framework for cooperation and integrative platform for multi-sectoral policy coordination, including sustainable agriculture within the scope of the Article 7 of the Carpathian Convention.
Within this framework, UNEP, in collaboration with the FAO SARD-M (Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in Mountains) Project and Euromontana, has prepared a draft assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of mountain policies in the Carpathians, based on three country surveys (i.e. Romania, Slovak Republic and Ukraine) including social, economic, environmental, legal and institutional aspects, in relation to SARD principles. As a pre-event to this Conference, a Workshop on Strengthening policies for the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathians: workshop on the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) was organized, where the draft assessment was discussed.
The Working Group considered the recommendations of the SARD Carpathian policy assessment, with a view to identifying common policy issues to work on at the regional level in the framework of the Carpathian Convention, including possible recommendations for a future Protocol on sustainable agriculture and rural development in the Carpathians.

2)   Good practice on the environmental and sustainable development frameworks
Comparisons of management tools, different types of protected areas and how they cooperate with agriculture, environment, tourism�

Moderator: Thierry Percie du Sert, ARPE Midi Pyrénées

There are very different types of protected areas in Europe, they have very different kinds of relationships with the surrounding regional development, different legal models and functioning styles. Therefore comparisons of management tools, different types of protected areas and how they cooperate with agriculture, environment, and tourism is an essential question for sustainable development.
The objectives of the workshop was to identify successful models and good practice of collaboration of the protected areas with regional development and strengths and weaknesses of different types of protected areas.

Introduction to the workshop - Thierry Percie du Sert

Horatiu Hanganu, director of Piatra Craiului National Park
Working with local communities in the Piatra Craiului National Park
General information about the park, short remarks on flora, fauna, geology etc., description of the local communities nearby the park, projects implemented by the park administration to decrease the negative pressure of the local communities on the biodiversity, threats and further activities regarding the local communities, Romanian policy regarding the rural areas located within protected areas.

Mioara Bocanici, CEFIDEC
General remarks on the Pinzgauer cattle populations bred in the private farms situated in the Northern Romanian Carpathians.
The Pinzgauer breed is spread in the Romanian Northern Carpathians and is bred in a traditional extensive system in the private farms, being very well adapted to the natural conditions specific to this area. These aspects of good traditional practices recommend the improvement of Pinzgauer breed and its further breeding.

Marusca Teodor, RENATUROPA Association
Some aspects regarding the pastoral activity in the Bucegi Natural Park - Southern Romanian Carpathians
Inventory of animals and owners, determination of the optimal grazing capacity, in order to preserve the biodiversity of pastures and landscapes, improvement of living conditions for the people who take care of the animals and modernization of processing of sheep and cow milk, by building access roads, seasonal shelters for animals and the people who take care of the animals, electricity, water, sewerage systems, milk collecting and processing points and so on, organizing the animal breeders from Bucegi mountains in a cooperation system and production, under a certified label, of cheese and other dairy products.

3)  Building Alliances (facilitated by Mountain Partnership)
Practical session explaining the different networks and tools available for cooperation in Europe, discussion on the roles of those networks and expectations of the CEEC participants. Instruments and financial tools to help build partnerships

Moderator: Douglas McGuire, Mountain Partnership

Nowadays networking is a chief necessity in developing the mountain areas. By participating alliances or cooperation projects experience and information can be widely shared among different actors.
The practical session on different networks and tools available for cooperation in Europe, where the role of the networks and expectations of CEEC participants towards the different types of cooperation were discussed.

Vanessa Hallhead, author of �the Rural movements of Europe� and working group member of European Rural Movement
The Rural Movements of Europe: "All the Power of a Small Village".

Michael Kügler, EU-Verbindungsbüro der Landwirtschaftskammern, VLk-Geschäftsstelle
R.E.N.E. Rural Extension Network in Europe

Kristiina Urpalainen,
Euromontana as a network

Beata Bibrowska,
Presentation de L'Association Europeenne des Elus de Montagne (AEM)

20.00 Reception 

Wednesday, 26th October

9.00  Workshops

4)   Subregional cooperation - Balkan meeting (facilitated by UNEP in cooperation with Makmontana)
Identify priority issues for cooperation in the Balkans, feasibility of the Balkan Convention

Chair: Vlatko Andonowski, BULMONTANA
Moderator: Harald Egerer, UNEP

Thomas Egger, Swiss Centre for Mountain Regions
Pier Carlo Sandei, EURAC
MAKMONTANA
BULMONTANA

Mountain regions on the Balkan are very fragile due to their particular political, economic and ecological situation. A sustainable development of these regions is crucial. Therefore the idea to build up and strengthen cooperation between mountain areas on the Balkan Peninsula, largely inspired by the Alpine Convention and the Carpathian Convention. The cooperation on the Balkan Peninsula will be developed using a bottom-up approach. Complementarily, several actors and organizations have indicated their interest to substantively cooperate with and contribute to the development of a regional cooperation for the protection and sustainable development of mountain regions in South Eastern Europe. This approach implies, that the final result cannot be predicted at the start of the process.
The working group was identifying priority issues of cooperation for mountain regions in South Eastern Europe, and developing an Action Plan for cooperative action at the regional level between the countries and actors concerned.

5)  Diversifying and adding value to mountain areas � new business opportunities, the role of women and youth

Moderator: Mrs. Jela Tvrdonova, Rural Parliament of Slovak Republic
Rapporteur: Ing. Barbara Hellebrandtová, Deputy Director, Foreign Relations Department, Ministry of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic

Diversification and adding value to economic activities within mountain areas is of utmost importance in the toughening conditions of the modern societies. In order to remain living in mountain areas their inhabitants need meaningful jobs and supplementing activities complementing agriculture. Women and youth have the most need for this diversification, and are in a key position to determine whether the whole family remains or not in the mountain areas.
The workshop aimed to open discussion about different aspects diversification and give some concrete ideas about better participation of women and youth in this process.

Jela Tvrdonova
Diversification and enhancement of rural areas - new opportunities for economic activities, the role of women and youth

Elena Kubaliaková, NGO - OZVENY, Slovak Republic
The Example of the Diversification in the Rural Area.

Elenka Jankovièová, NGO - CYKLOKLUB PO¥ANA
What Does the Diversification Mean In the Rural Area For the Youth � Practical Example of the Cykloklub Polana

Drew McFarlane Slack, Highlands Council, UK
Women and Young People in the Highlands

Anna E. Kociolek, EUROMONTANA
Contributing to diversification and sustainable development of the economies and territories of mountain areas through developing mountain quality food products
High costs of production, severe climatic and physical conditions for production and transport throughout the year, and in indirect effect - depopulation, ageing population, threatened culture, craft, language. These all are obstacles which every mountain region tackle with and which remain main obstacle in the development of these regions. Yet, there is an answer on the question how to convert these obstacles into assets and use the unique mountain value in its development remaining in harmony with environment.
Presentation of Euromontana's proposal to adding value to mountain food products.

6) Specific training and education activities in support of the mountain areas in CEEC

Moderator: Martin Price, Centre for Mountain Studies, University of the Highlands&Islands Millennium Institute, UK
Rapporteur: Danut Gitan, CEFIDEC, Romania

Practical training, access to relevant information and skills is a prerequisite for the development of mountain areas that have very specific needs. The main goal of the workshop was to come up with ideas for better understanding and implementation of the specific training for the mountain regions.

Martin Price,
University education for sustainable mountain development: overcoming access barriers
Sustainable mountain development concerns both mountain regions and those downstream who depend on mountain in various ways. At the undergraduate level, there are no degrees with a mountain emphasis, but various universities offer modules on mountain themes. At the graduate level, a few mountain-specific courses exist. Most are delivered in the traditional face-to-face mode, which means that students have to leave their home areas for full-time study. Since 2004, an on-line MSc in Managing Sustainable Mountain Development has been delivered by the UHI Millennium Institute, allowing students to study part-time and from their own homes.

Danut Gitan, CEFIDEC
Training of trainers and of young farmers, part of the sustainable development in the Romanian Carpathians
The intervention presented the experience of Training and Innovation Center for Development in the Carpathians - CEFIDEC, Vatra Dornei, regarding the vocational training of young farmers and of trainers from the Romanian mountain area (which covers 28 counties).

Teodor Marusca, RENATUROPA Association
Research specific to the Romanian mountains

10.30   Coffee
11.00   Report back from the workshops
12.30  European rural development policies and programmes for the mountain areas in CEEC - continuation.

Esben Poulsen, European Commission - DG Regio
Territorial Co-operation 2007-2013

13.00   Conclusions

Mr Fabrizi, President of Association of Agricultural Cooperatives and Trade Companies of Slovak Republic
Mr Frank Gaskell, President of Euromontana

Working groups - conslusions:
Working group 1
Working group 5
Working group 6

15.00  Euromontana General Assembly

DOWNLOADS AND PHOTOS

Conference final report [EN] (1.8 MB)
Conference Final Declaration EN I FR
Main ideas of final declaration - slides


Precious European assets at risk: integrated development is the key to unlocking the potential of Central and Eastern Europe's mountain areas.
press release 4.11.2005
(French version)

Conference Flyer EN/ FR
Participant's infopack EN/FR

The Carpathian workshop Mrs Hellebrandtova, Ministry of Agriculuture SR (speaking), Mr Gaskell, Mrs Urpalainen	Current situation and challenges facing mountain areas in Central and Eastern Europe. Dr Krakowiak-Bal, Mr Fabrizi	Speech of Mr Vaclav Fabrizi,President of Association of Agricultural Cooperatives and Trade Companies of Slovak Republic
Presentation: EU Rural Develoment policies and their relevance to mountain areas in CEEC, Mr Atonis Constantinou, DG Agri	Presentation: EU Rural Development Policy - an environmental view, Mr Ladislav Miko, DG Environment	European rural development policies and programmes for the mountain areas in CEEC. Reaction from the round table
Press Conference: Mr Gaskell, Mr Fabrizi	Press Conference: Mr Constantionu, Mr Skjerpen, Mr Miko	Coffe break between the sessions
Reception	Reception	Conference venue - Grand Jasna Hotel
The Norwegian delegation	The session on integrated mountain development	The surrounding of Low Tatras
The surrounding of Low Tatras	The surrounding of Low Tatras

 

PARTNERS

	Euromontana European Association for Mountain Areas
	Association of Agricultural Cooperatives and Trade Companies of SR
	Ministry of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic
	The Government of Norway Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development
	United Nation Environment Programme
	SARD-M Project (Food and Agriculture Organization)
	Mountain Partnership

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SUSTAINABLE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES - NEED FOR SPECIFIC POLICIES ON SUSTAINABLE SERVICE?
Palencia, Spain. 14-17 June 2005

The County Council of Palencia, with its twelve partners participating in the project Euromountains.net, has worked since the end of 2002 in this ambitious initiative supported by the European INTERREG IIIC Programme that aims to increase the cooperation between European mountain areas with the design of strategies as a final goal. These strategies will allow the sustainable social and economic development in the areas of the European Union that by their orography share some challenges and difficulties.

After a year of studying the specific policies for sustainable services in mountain areas, it is the opportune moment to put together the results and to draw conclusions.

This is the purpose of the meeting that will take place 13th to 17th of June in �Cervera de Pisuerga- Palencia�. As it could not be another way the meeting will be celebrated in a mountain zone and includes a visit to some enclaves, enterprises and institutions of the � Montaña Palentina� to get to know in first hand its daily reality.

Detailed information available on the seminar website

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UNLOCKING THE MOUNTAINS
A NEW APPROACH OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EUROPE'S MOUNTIANS
Fourth European Mountain Convention
Rodez, France, 25-26 November 2004

GENERAL PRESENTATION
LECTURES AND SPEECHES
VISITS
DOCUMENTS
PRESS RELEASES

GENERAL PRESENTATION

download pdf brochure

The European Mountain Conventions are an initiative of Euromontana, a European association that comprises agricultural organisations, communities, research institutes, development and environmental agencies or mountain associations with a strong interest in rural and sustainable development of mountainous areas. Covering 16 countries in all the European mountain massifs, this network facilitates co-operation between Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Among the other projects of the association, these Conventions represent special times for reviewing specific current issues in a deliberately open and wide debate.

European Mountain Conventions are organised every 2 years for the attention of professionals and, in the context of the general theme of mountain rural sustainable development, are intended to provide:

• Updated information on current European issues and their impact on mountain areas
• Open consultations and exchanges between representatives of different countries and different types of organisation
• The extension and strengthening of a European network of co-operation for mountains, beyond the network of Euromontana member organisations.

THE POLICY CONTEXT OF THE FOURTH EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN CONVENTION

The Fourth European Mountain Convention will take place at a particularly strategic time.

Rural development will be facing a new future. The Salzburg conference in November 2003 opened new perspectives for European rural policy after 2006, and a new rural development regulation is proposed for after 2006. The Rodez Mountain Convention will be a unique occasion to identify the prospects for Europe's mountain areas.

The Third Cohesion Report, which will provide the main orientations for the future Regional Policy after 2006, and the draft regulations for the Structural Funds 2007-2013 published on 15 July, set the scene for the future regional development in Europe. Still, the debate continues. The change in State Aids Policy for the post-2006 period is also a key element to be considered for the future mountain development in Europe.

The European Union now accounts for 25 member states and includes more mountain communities, giving a new dimension to Europe's mountain area.

At the time of the Rodez Convention a newly constituted European Commission will just be commencing its term of office as will the European Parliament freshly elected in June 2004.

The debates on the orientation of the Union for the period 2006-2013 will be at their most crucial stages and this will be the right time for Europe's mountains to make their points and contributions to this debate.

THEMES AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THIS CONVENTION

The Rodez-2004 Mountain Convention will encourage the opening up of new rural development. At a time when territorial cohesion will have to be enhanced, when rural policy will have to be reviewed and dynamised, the mountain areas will have to demonstrate their potential and use every opportunity available to them.

OPENING UP should be understood in various dimensions:

• open rural areas in terms of accessibility and hosting capacities,
• rural actors being open to exchanges of experiences and cooperations at all levels,
• opening of landscapes and rural areas.

The objectives are multiple and complementary:

• to review the major European debates and the positioning of mountain issues within them,
• to identify innovative practice and analyse the contributions mountain areas bring to the whole of Europe especially in terms of balanced territorial development,
• to facilitate the emergence of European mountain initiatives and projects,
• to submit proposals to achieve a better consideration of mountain issues within European and national policies in Europe.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• AGRICULTURAL, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FORESTRY AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS
• NATIONAL , REGIONAL AND LOCAL OFFICIALS DEALING WITH THESE FIELDS
• NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MOUNTAIN PARKS
• ACADEMICS AND STUDENTS OF THE RELEVANT DISCIPLINES
• ANYONE WHO WISHES TO UNDERSTAND THE MAJOR ISSUES ABOUT TO CONFRONT FRAGILE RURAL AREAS AND TO SHARE THE LATEST INFORMATION AND REFLECTIONS ON THESE

LECTURES AND SPEECHES

Frank Gaskell, President of Euromontana
Welcome speech

Jean Vaquié, President of the Conference of Pyrenean Craft, France
The on-costs in the mountain craft activities

Jean-Louis Cazaubon, Chairman of the mountain section, the Assembly of the French Agricultural Chambers (APCA)
The recognition of the handicaps and the positive externalities of mountain farming

Professor Harvey ARMSTRONG, University of Sheffield, Department of Geography
State Aid and Regional Policy

Domenico Mastrogiovanni, Italian Confederation of Farmers and member of the Board of Euromontana
The results of the Euromontana project 2002-2004, the issues and actions to be undertaken in the coming years

Douglas MCGUIRE, Coordinator of the interim sercretariat of international partnership for mountains regions, FAO
Mountain Partnership

Jennie Dey de Pryck, Chief, Rural Institutions and Participation Service, Rural Development Division of FAO
Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Developement in Mountain Regions

Frédéric BONHOURE on behalf of Sylvie Gillet de Thorey, Vice-President of the Rhône Alpes Region (France)
Mountain Regions within the European Union : initiatives, new issues and new regional opportunities

Frédéric BONHOURE on behalf of Sylvie Gillet de Thorey, Vice-President of the Rhône Alpes Region (France)
Mountain Regions within the European Union : initiatives, new issues and new regional opportunities

Bob DUNSMORE, Forestry Commission Scotland
Renewable energy and mountains: a current issue for the future and for decentralisation

Thomas Dax, Bundesanstalt für Bergbauern Fragen (Austria)
An assessment of European research activities for sustainable mountain development

Alessandro OTTENGA and Gabriella POLIANI
Mountain debate 2004" in Vallée d'Aoste

Paolo ZAGGIA, Contact and Coordination Sector, IREALP
The experience of the Communication Plan of Interreg IIIA Italy Swiss

Herald Egerer, United Nations Environment Programme
Regional Cooperation Between Mountain Ranges for Sustainable Developement - the Example of Alpine-Carpathian Partnership

Nicolas Evrard,AEM
Quelle gouvernance pour mieux promouvoir la montagne au niveau Europeen?

Reports from the workshops:
Workshop1
Workshop2
Workshop3
Workshop4
Workshop5

Michele Pasca-Raymondo, Deputy Director-General, European Commission, Directorate-General of Regional Policy
La politique de Cohesion 2007-2013

Dirk AHNER, European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture
Rural Developement Policy and Mountain Areas

Erna Solberg, Minister for Local Government and Regional Development (Norway)
Mountain Regions and Competitiveness

Federico Lottersberger for Lombardy Region (Italy)
Le Alpi. La Visione di un'Europa delle Regioni Oltre le Nazioni

Frank Gaskell, President of Euromontana
Lessons learnt from the Fourth European Mountain Convention for EUROMONTANA

VISITS

Visit 1: Les Grands Causses - A region and the opening of a major axis of communication

viaduc de Millau
caves of Roquefort
Regional Nature Park of Grands Causses

Visit 2: l'Aubrac - A region and a fame

the Laguiole knife factory (See also Laguiole Office of Tourism)

Discussion on the knives with the staff explaining the history and evolution, the maintenance and the quality criteria of a Laguiole knife. Guided visit to the workshops. A specialist of the entreprise will present the manufacturing stages of the different knives and reply to questions.

"Young Mountain" cooperative (Laguiole and Aligot cheeses)

The "Young Mountain" cooperative is the only manufacturer of this controlled denomination cheese. In the region of Aubrac the cheese-making has a long tradition, the manufacturing of Laguiole respects the know-how transferred by the monks in the XII Century. André Valadier persuaded the farmers of Aubrac in the 1960's to relaunch the the production of Tome de Languiole by creating this cooperative. In the past manufactured in the mountain houses, today the cheese is made in a dairy equipped with modern material. But all the stages of traditional production are carefully respected.

Typical meal at Mr Broze's at Laguiole, Hotel Aubrac

Visit to a bovine (meat) farm of the race Aubrac at 1100m of altitude engaged in the forum of agriculture respecting environment. Presentation by Antoine Raymon, Coseiller Général of Laguiole, on the problematics of Aubrac.

DOCUMENTS

Framework Document on the European Policies and the Mountains.
Working Document for the Fourth European Mountains Convention: Unlocking the Mountains - A new approach to rural development for Europe's mountains
Download the document in pdf version

The Fourth European Mountains Convention Final Report
Download the document in pdf version EN I FR I IT I ES I DE

PRESS RELEASES

Mountains take a stand against the 1% European budget ceiling 30.11.2004

La Montagne s�insurge contre le plafonnement du budget européen à 1 % du PNB 30.11.2004

EUROPE�S MOUNTAIN AREAS CALL FOR STATE AID REFORM - The EU is in danger of missing a unique opportunity to seize the economic high ground in its drive for international competitiveness 08.11.2004

Press release - general 22.10.2004 - English and French

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DEVELOPMENT, PROMOTION, COOPERATION. WHAT NEW EUROPEAN TOOLS FOR MOUNTAIN FOOD PRODUCTS?

Final Conference - Project 2002-2004
Cordoba, Spain, 24-26 June 2004

EUROMONTANA, the European association for mountain areas, held the final conference of its 2-year research programme on mountain food products - financed with the support of DG Research of the European Commission - in Cordoba, Spain on 24 and 25 June (with the support of the "Junta de Andalucia" and the "Diputación de Córdoba"). About a hundred professionals and representatives of the mountain areas of 11 European countries were consulted on the proposals developed within the framework of this project for the promotion and development of mountain food products.

The reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy both in Agenda 2000 and in 2003 generated this search for new strategies to develop and support agricultural and food products from mountain areas. The studies carried out within the framework of this project firstly provided a better understanding of mountain products and their characteristics; secondly it helped to identify the favorable and unfavorable factors for the development of successful initiatives for promotion of mountain products.

TWO NEW COMPLEMENTARY EUROPEAN TOOLS WERE PROPOSED:

• A European Charter for mountain food products. The objectives of such a Charter are to clarify the common concepts and understandings concerning these products so as to strengthen the cooperation in Europe, to encourage the different actors to commit themselves towards their development, and to increase the awareness of - and eventually to involve - the National and European institutions. It would then have both a political and economic role. In the longer term the Charter could be used for the preparation of a European Mountain label. This Charter would be signed, after incorporation of the results of the consultation undertaken, by those professionals, national or international institutions, research centers and development agencies wishing to commit themselves to the implementation, the support and the promotion of the 10 principles of the Charter in their own field of activity.
  The different professionals present at the seminar (representatives of the producers, the processing chains, the retailers and even the consumers) showed openly their enthusiasm for this initiative and were unanimously favorable to its launching. Contributions from the representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture of different Governments (Switzerland, Austria, France and also DG AGRI of the European Commission) also clearly encouraged Euromontana to pursue this initiative. The draft Charter states in particular that, to be called a "mountain product", the production of the raw material and the processing of the product have to be undertaken in a mountain area. It proposes that the production and the processing be environmentally friendly, including in regard to the specific mountain natural resources, and provide the consumers with a transparent information and guarantee of traceability.

• A European information center on mountain products, first in the form of a web site in 8 languages, will facilitate the dissemination of the Charter. It will also provide details of the national and European legislations on mountain and quality products, of the local initiatives and innovative frameworks implemented for their development, and of the relevant contacts so as to facilitate the exchanges between the professionals and research centers from throughout Europe. The analysis of the factors of success and failure, of the needs, and the identification of the links between the products and their mountain territories will also be available from this information web site. All the participants in the seminar expressed the need to develop this European resource center by including new examples of local initiatives, by giving access to new projects and to current events on this theme, and so to make it "the European center for exchanges of information on mountain products". This tool, which will be online from September 2004 , will have to be associated with cooperation actions and exchanges on the ground, set up by using this center under the coordination of Euromontana.

DOCUMENTS

Programme of Cordoba Conference [EN]
Programme of Cordoba Conference [ES]

Participants list

Cécile LEVRET, Project manager, Euromontana
Project on mountain products : presentation

Clara ICARAN, IKT SA
Agricultural studies and analyses Unit (Basque Country� Spain)

Emmanuel MINGASSON, SUACI, Rural Development Institute in Savoy (France)
Strategies locales de developpement de la qualite

Isabelle GUICHARD, SUAIA, Pyrenean Agricultural Institute (France)
Etat des Lieux des differentes demarches "qualite" appliquees aux produits agroalimentaires de Montagne en Europe

Gaëlle LHERMITTE, Secretary General of Euromontana
Au - dela des conclusions des etudes. Quels plans d'actions?

Olivier BEUCHERIE, ISARA Lyon, Higher Agricultural Education Institute (France)
Emmanuel MINGASSON, SUACI, Rural Development Institute in Savoy (France)
Premieres propositions pour une Charte Europeene des produits alimentaires de qualite de montagne

Monika WZSOLEK - KPPZ AR - Krakow University (Poland)
Presentation of the discussion workshops on European strategies

Federico BIGARAN, Privince of Turin, (Italy)
Karl Geog HOYER, Head of Research, WNRI, Western Norway Research Institute (Norway
Presentation of Workshop 1

European Union of Producers - Domenico MASTROGIOVANNI, representative of the working party on Mountains and Low Favoured Areas of COPA-COGECA (Committee of Agricultural Organisations), (European Union)
Strategie de Qualite pour les Produits en Provenance des Zones de Montagne

Francisco SERRANO OSUNA, President of the cooperative "Virgen del Castillo" from Carcabuey and president of the PDO "Priego de Cordoba" (Andalusia - Spain)
Cooperative of olive oil

Patrick SUTTON, The European Consumers' Organisation, BEUC, Food Policy Unit, (Europe)
Roundtable on "mountain" produts

Gaëlle LHERMITTE, Secretary General of Euromontana
Rappel de nos analyses et du contexte de la consultation

Jean-Marc CHAPPUIS, Unit of promotion of quality and trades, Federal Office for Agriculture (Switzerland)
Identification des produits agroalimentaires de montagne dans le droit public suisse

Alois GRABNER, Head of Unit Marketing and Processing of agricultural products � Ministry of Agriculture, forestry, environment and water management (Austria)
Lebensministerium.at

Caroline POTTIER, Unit on Agricultural product policy � DG Agri (European Commission)
Contribution a representant de la Commission a la table ronde

Speech of Marie-Lise MOLINIER, Head of Unit on quality designations and organic production - French Ministry of Agriculture (France)
Reactions e la commentaires sur la base des documents preparatoire a la table ronde

Tiberiu STEF, FAER, Agricultural development Institute (Rumania)
Presentation des produits de montagne

A regional pilot study : Gabriella VALLER, Province of Trento (Italy)
The mountains and its products in the collective consciousness

Overview at the European level: Cécile LEVRET, Project manager - Euromontana
Approfondir l'approche consommation: au niveau europeen

Gaëlle LHERMITTE, Secretary general of Euromontana
Cécile LEVRET, Project manager - Euromontana
Synthese des points forts de la conference

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MOUNTAIN FOOD PRODUCTS IN EUROPE: WHAT ASSETS AND WHAT STRATEGIES? TECHNICAL CONSULTATIVE SEMINAR - PROJECT 2002-2004
Turin, Italy, 12-13 February 2004

Since October 2002, and within the framework of its general mission for cooperation in mountain areas, Euromontana has been leading a European-wide research programme on quality mountain food products. The mission of the project is to identify successful strategies to add value to mountain food products, as part of achieving sustainable development in mountain territories.

This seminar marks a crucial step in the project, as it will provide relevant and necessary elements to develop concrete and relevant proposals at the end of the research programme. These outputs will focus on the website and the European proposals and recommendations.

The two days of the seminar cover the following:

First day
Presentation (plenary) and discussion (in workshops) of the research findings under two headings:

• the characteristics of mountain food products;
• current strategies being used to develop quality mountain food products.

This will be followed by short presentations of three other related research projects on quality products.

Second day
Presentation (plenary) and discussion (in workshops) focusing on the two key outputs of the project:

• a web based strategic information system relating to quality mountain products;
• analyses of possible proposals/ recommendations for the sustainable development of quality mountain food products.

The objective of this day will be to provide necessary elements to the steering committee to refine the two missions of the project.
Conclusions of those workshops will be reported during the last half-day in front of a wider public.

DOWNLOADS:

Programme EN I IT I FR
List of Participants

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THE PLACE OF MOUNTAIN ISSUES WITHIN FUTURE EU-POLICIES
Brussels, Belgium
25-26 May 2003

Themes of the seminar:

The Convention: a new framework for EU policies

• the Convention on European Union futures and debate on inclusion of � territorial cohesion � in a new Treaty / constitution

The Future Common Agricultural Policy

• Mid-term review of the CAP
  What are the different risks and opportunities for mountain agriculture and regions?
• the CAP in the new Member States after 2004
  What are the expected impacts in mountain areas in the CEECs ?
• the CAP after 2006

The future regional policy after 2006

• the Convention on the future of the European Union and the debate over the inclusion of "territorial cohesion" in a new Treaty/constitution
• the study on mountain areas commissioned by DG Regio
  What are the preliminary results and in what way will they be taken into account for future regional policy design ?
• the structure of the future regional policy
  What is the state of discussions within the Commission ? Will mountain areas benefit from a better recognition, for example through the "areas with severe geographical or natural handicaps"? How will rural development be addressed within the future regional policy?

In the field of environment

• Presentation of the "Bioscene" research project , aiming at developing and evaluating strategies for reconciling conservation of mountain biodiversity with declining agriculture.
• The future financing of Natura 2000

Reflections and actions for the future

• Future prospects for rural development
  What are the needs that must be addressed by any new integrated approach of rural development within EU-policies and how adequately are they being reflected in current proposals?
• The agenda of the reforms and the consultation process
  What are the timetables and deadlines for agreement of the developing policies in each of these related fields, and what opportunities remain to influence the process.
• The contributions of Euromontana and its partnerships for future initiatives

Documents to download:

Programme of the semminar English I French

Preparatory document on the CAP English I French

Up-dated report of the seminar (27 June 2003) English I French

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OUR MOUNTAINS - A FUTURE STRENGTH OF EUROPEAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Third European Mountain Convention
Inverness, Scotland, 16-18 May 2002

The Third European Mountain Convention is an initiative of Euromontana.

Previous European Mountain Conventions in Ljubljana, Slovenia (1998) and Trento, Italy (2000), gathered mountain representatives from all over Europe to take stock of the current European issues related to mountain development and identify common recommendations and strategies

In addition to this the 3rd European Mountain Convention will :

• ensure efficient communication and awareness raising within the framework of the International Year of the Mountains
• launch the preparation of strong contributions towards the coming developments of the European Union - its unprecedented enlargement and the related reforms of the regional and agricultural policies in 2006

Download the brochure, in which you will find details:
English I French I Spanish I Italian I German

Foreword of Franz Fischler, European Comission EN

Final Report of the Conference EN I FR

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MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
WHICH COMPENSATION TO RECOGNISE THE CONTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURE TO MOUNTAIN AREAS?
Capracotta, Italy, 21 - 24 June 2001

The seminar was organized by Euromontana with the collaboration and the support of :

• European Commission, DG Agriculture, Information Policy Unity
• Italian Committee for the International Year of the Mountains
• Interdepartmental Technical Committee for the Mountain
• The Swiss Confederation
• University of Molise
• Molise Region, Chairman for Agriculture and the Mountains
• Capracotta Commune
• Tourist Agency of Capracotta
• Italian Confederation of Farmers
• the Association "Turismo Verde"
• Italian Confederation of Farmers of Molise region
• SAB

The Seminar contributed to present :

THE FRAMEWORK

Presenting different payment systems (direct or indirect) actually in force in favour of mountain agriculture in eastern and western european countries:

• the "philosophy",
• financial supports arrangements,
• the impact on farmers' incomes,
• from a system set up solely to compensate "negative handicaps" to the "recognition of positive externalities" : proposals for a new system for financial supporting to mountain agriculture

THE POINT OF VIEW OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PARTNERS AND CIVIL SOCIETY

Considering mountain agriculture within a european perspective, the need of a regional european policy addressed to the rural space, the need of a balanced development between urban and rural areas, the organisational and financial models to give a role to the multi functionality of mountain agriculture, the way of Eastern European countries' agriculture towards their adhesion to European Union.

THE POLITICAL SOLUTIONS

Proposals for a new system for financial supporting to mountain agriculture: from a system set up solely to compensate "negative handicaps" to the "recognition of "positive externalities"

Download the programme of the seminar (IT)

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MOUNTAIN REGIONS AS PIONEERS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
QUALITY: THE COMARATIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE FUTURE
Second European Mountain Convention
Trento (Italy), 17 and 18 March 2000

CONTEXT

The forthcoming WTO negotiations and the recent reform of the CAP converge around the increased competition of the European and global economies. The new common agricultural policy and rural policy put in place with effect from the year 2000 will be based on:

• A fall in European agricultural prices in order to respond to the requirements of the forthcoming WTO negotiations, and to develop the competitiveness of European agriculture.
• A reinforcement of the rural development policy with a large measure of subsidiarity, the intention to promote quality products and sustainable agricultural systems.
• Specific arrangements for the adaptation and the development of the CEEC in anticipation of their integration into the European Union.

These changes constitute new issues for the rural and agricultural development of the mountain regions.

Euromontana wishes to inform and alert the mountain development actors and their political decision makers to the need to prepare development strategies which respond to these new economic and political requirements which add value to the assets of these regions. Quality is one of these strategies which we will have to go further into in the course of the project.

Quality and mountain regions are the central topics of Euromontana's new project. Between September and December 1999, three thematic seminars will go further into these subjects. On the basis of the results of these seminars, the second European Mountain Convention will be organised on the 17 and 18 March 2000 in Trento (Italy).

PRESENTATION

The mountain regions in Europe are known for the quality of their landscape, environment and products. These regions are also the place where 50 million people live and work, contributing to the development of these areas. However, the relief, isolation, climate and other factors are all permanent handicaps that stand in the way of the development of economic activities.

The recent reform of Community policies (http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/agenda2000/index_en.htm) and the preparation of the European Union's enlargement are bringing European countries new measures for rural development but also new challenges for the most fragile regions. Thus, to cope with the increased competition between the European and world economies, these regions have to find original ways to develop, taking advantage of their specific assets.

Quality production and regions, together with the traditional nature of the activities and the diversity of the environments, are an essential asset of mountain regions. Furthermore, the public's growing awareness of environmental problems and of the conditions in which food is produced is resulting in new consumption patterns. People's concerns are focusing on the quality of the products.

EUROMONTANA wishes to invite the European mountain representatives to investigate together the best development strategies for quality to respond to the needs of their regions and the demands of the consumers.

To prepare this assembly EUROMONTANA has organised during the Autumn of 1999 a series of three thematic seminars each addressing an audience of experts from Western, Central and Eastern Europe. The outcomes of these works will provide detailed analysis studied at the European level for the delegates to consult together.

First seminar: Development and distribution of the mountain quality products, Saint- Etienne, 3-4 September 1999
Second seminar: Quality at the service of sustainable development, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 29-30 October 1999
Third seminar: Quality and rural development in the mountain regions of CEEC, Krakow 17-18 December 1999

Rhône-Alpes Regional Council (Fr), the Direction for development and cooperation of the Swiss Confederation (CH), the Basque Government through the Kalitatea Foundation (Sp), the Council of the Departement of Loire (Fr), the National Association for Agricultural Development (Fr) have also participated to the financing of the preparatory seminars.

The convention has been organised with the collaboration of: Regione Trentino-Alto Adige; Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori, Unione Contadini, Associazione Contadini Trentini, Unione Agricoltori, Federazione Coltivatori Trentini, Federazione Trentina delle Cooperative.

It is with the support of the Autonomous Province of Trento, the European Commission - Directorate General for Agriculture - and the French Ministry for Agriculture that EUROMONTANA invites you to participate in this Second European Mountain Convention.

DOWNLOADS

Programme of the conference
Preparatory documents
Registration procedure and participation fees information

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Employment in the service of sustainable development
First European Mountain Convention
Lubljana, Slovenia, 1-3 October 1998

CONTEXT

Employment and Environment are two main preoccupations for the European community nowadays.
Will the mountainous areas, to resolve these new expectations, resist new policies favouring production and competitiveness?
Will the 2000 Agenda (agricultural policy, rural development, structural funds and European enlargement) help these regions face these new preoccupations?

MAIN QUESTIONS

About the agricultural policy, is it possible to develop a multifunctional mountain agriculture? What kind of recommendations are envisioned?
About the structural policy and rural development, how the reform�s proposals can sustainably valorise the livelihood of the mountain regions (human, natural, cultural, the quality of the areas and the products, the know-how and the traditions)?
About the European enlargement, what are the perspectives for sustainable development in the mountain areas of the Central and Eastern European Countries? How will the applicants make use of the experience of the mountain regions of European Union?

European Meeting for the Mountains:
English I French

Programme of the conference

Working documents preparing the Ljubljana conference:
English I French

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MOUNTAINS OF EUROPE - NEW COOPERATIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Conference in Kraków
Poland, September 1995

In 1974, the Confederation of European Agriculture (CEA) set up a permanent working group for "socio-economic issues in mountain regions". Called "Euromontana", the group comprised agricultural representatives from the countries of the Alps and Pyrenees and organised a conference every two years

In 1994, Euromontana decided to establish new relations with the Central and Eastern European countries and to include representatives of sectors other than agriculture, such as rural development and the environment

In 1995, Poland hosted in Cracovie the first Euromontana conference ever organised in a Central European country. The meeting was so successful that Euromontana decided to become a legal entity. The representatives of 14 European regions or countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Scotland, Spanish Basque Country, France, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Czech Republic) convening in Rome on 4 March 1996 declared themselves the founding members of the association.

Final declaration FR