How the Region deploys its influence in the European Union from its Brussels office

L’équipe d’Occitanie Europe basée à Bruxelles. – R.O.

In the Occitanie Europe premises, the teams monitor funding possibilities for projects planned in the regional territory, whose interests are defended. Presentation.

"You have to be present here, it’is essential".

Jean-Luc Gibelin, vice-president of the Region for Mobility for all and transport infrastructure, was categorical when he spoke like this from Brussels, exactly a week ago.

In the heart of the European district

From the premises of Occitanie Europe, an association born in 2017 (after the merger of the Midi Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon regions), with 24 members from the territory (departments, universities, consular chambers), led by Yannick Proto, and which employs six permanent employees and two interns, in the heart of the European district of Brussels, with the windows of its offices offering a breathtaking view of the main building of the European Commission.

"Essential to be present here"

And if it is "indispensable to be present here", it’ firstly because everyone is there, since more than 300 regional and local authorities have opened a representative office in the Belgian capital since the mid-1980s.

"The commitment or otherwise of countries is measured by this from the point of view of European leaders: being present to make your projects known and helping them to be understood. Because France is seen by a large majority of the Twenty-Seven as a rich country. But the necessary solidarity does not mean that nothing comes back to us" still pleads Jean-Luc Gibelin.

The objective, "capture European credits"

Which is obviously not the case for France, and, therefore, for Occitanie, not forgotten when it comes to the distribution of aid and subsidies.

Still, we must not let anything slip under the radar. This is what the Brussels permanent staff are working on, who, in detail, detailed their mission to us last week: "Lobbying, yes, it’ is our activity, but everyone does it here in Brussels. In fact, we defend above all the interests of the Region. And, indeed, we do a lot of monitoring work, very upstream, on all possible future financing, we help our members to carry out projects, we also work with the other regional representations. And then we also take care of the arrival of delegations, we organize meetings…"

To the services of the Region, then, in Toulouse and Montpellier, "to prepare the files, check the accounting documents, and develop the strategy of the use of European funds" adds Nadia Pellefigue, Vice-President of the Region for Higher Education, Research, Europe and International Relations.

"Not an institutional representative office"

And the regional president Carole Delga clarified: "This is not an institutional representation office. We are here so that the Region can take its full part in the orientations of European policy. So that the Region can influence and capture European credits. This is crucial, of course. For LGV for example, both lines are eligible for European credits which represent 20% of total financing."

L’post-election…

It also remains to consider the major changes that could possibly take place within the European executive, from the second half of 2024, as soon as the elections have passed. "Introducing the deputies elected in June and deciphering the new political balances within the European Parliament" is also part of objectives displayed by Occitanie Europe. To, already, "prepare the 2028-2034 programming of the EU". And, already, track and identify new financing possibilities from which Occitanie could benefit.