PLENARY SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS ON JUNE 16-17.

The EU Committee of the Regions will meet in plenary session on June 16 and 17 in Brussels. The Third Report on Economic and Social Cohesion will be the session's central topic. It will be debated on June 16 in the presence of Regional Affairs Commissioner Jacques Barrot. Peter Balazs, the Commissioner "attached" to Jacques Barrot will also speak on June 17. With less than a month to go to the Dutch Presidency of the EU, Thom de Graaf, Dutch Minister for Home Affairs and Government Reform, will outline the forthcoming Presidency's priorities. A seminar on the "Funding of regional and local policies" will be held on the fringes of the plenary session on June 17 and a Forum will be staged (June 16 and 17) on the theme of "New European union Regions and Cities". An exhibition will permit the ten new EU Member States to present their cities and regions.

Draft Opinions included on the agenda:

- Third Report on Economic and Social Cohesion

Rapporteurs: Mr Schneider (Germany/EPP), Mr D'Ambrioso (Italy/PES)

- "Modernising social protection for more and better jobs - a comprehensive approach contributing to making work pay"

Rapporteur: Mr Pella (Italy/EPP)

- Transnational co-operation to promote new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in connection with the...