MEPs to assess just transition in southeast France
Ten MEPs will travel to Marseille and the Bouches-du-Rhône to observe implementation of the projects financed by the Just Transition Fund.
On 19-21 June 2023, ten MEPs from the Regional Development Committee will tour the southeast region of France, Bouches-du-Rhône, to take stocks of the Just Transition Fund (JTF) projects aimed at reducing regional disparities in the framework of transition towards climate neutrality.
The Bouches-du-Rhône is one of the two French territories initially eligible to funding from the Just Transition Fund due to its important petro-chemical activity. JTF was seen as a key tool in helping environmental transition, while also providing perspective in terms of green jobs. Thanks to the support provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), ecological transition is accelerating in the region. MEPs will focus on challenges and opportunities of the just transition, with the aim to identify best-targeted measures supporting green and digital transformation of the region.
MEPs will exchange their views and discuss green transition with regional and municipal representatives. They will visit industrial area of Fos-sur-Mer and meet representatives of steel, energy and petrochemical industries. They will also talk to representatives of civil society, social partners and academics from the region. The three-day visit will be completed in the Marseille harbour receiving investments from the Just Transition Fund.
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Younous Omarjee (The Left, FR) chairing the mission noted: "This is the first mission of the Regional Development Committee in mainland France since the beginning of this legislature. Through the decisions we have taken, we strongly support French regions. Both in the sense of helping to deal with crises and to initiate major transitions. The South Region is one of the largest European Mediterranean regions where many of cohesion policy challenges are concentrated, and for the Bouches-du-Rhône it is energy transition in particular. As in Fos sur Mer, Berre l'Etang or the Port of Marseille, switching from one model to another is a revolution and requires European support for the re-qualification of jobs and to limit its social costs. We stand with regions and departments to make this transformation a success in France.”
For the mission, Mr Omarjee will be joined by nine other MEPs:
Mr François Alfonsi (Greens, FR)
Mr Vlad-Marius Botoş (Renew, RO)
Ms Sara Matthieu (Greens/EFA, BE)
Ms Marina Mesure (The Left, FR)
Mr Dan-Stefan Motreanu (EPP, RO)
Ms Susana Solis Perez (Renew, ES)
Mr Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D, ES)
Press conference
At the last day of the mission on Wednesday 21 June at 12:30, MEPs will hold a Press Conference in the Marseille Harbour (Port de Marseille Fos, 23 place de la Joliette, CS 81 965). For additional information, please, do not hesitate to contact Ms Isaure Magnien (isaure.magnien@europarl.europa.eu, GSM: +33 6 47 48 05 75).
Contacts:
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Martina VASS
Press Officer