European Commission Press Release 

Commission officially launched the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP), the fourth EU macro-regional strategy. More than70 million citizens will reap the benefits of a closer cooperation between regions and countries in terms of research and innovation, SME support, mobility, tourism, environmental protection and energy resources management.

This macro-regional strategy concerns seven countries; five Member States - Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia - and two non-EU countries - Liechtenstein and Switzerland - overall involving 48 regions.

The Strategy will focus on four key policy areas and could support the development of the following indicative projects:

1 - Economic growth and innovation with, for example, the development of research activities on Alpine-specific products and services.

2 - Connectivity and mobility, with the improvement ofroads and railwaysand the extension of satellite access in remote areas.

3 - Environment and energy, with the pooling of mutual resources to preserve the environment and promote energy efficiency in the Region.

In addition, the Commission identified the need to build a sound and efficient governance model for the Region.

To read the full press release, please visit the following link:http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-5430_en.htm