The Confederation will host its fourth annual overseas conference at the Caleta Hotel in Gibraltar from 14th to 17th October 2004. Highlights will include sessions on 'Cross Border Relations in a Modern Europe', and 'The EU Constitution'.


The schedule for the 2004 Annual conference is as follows:

______________________________________________________________

Thursday, 14th October 2004:

10.00am
WELCOME AND OPENING OF CONFERENCE
Our visit to Gibraltar marks our fourth annual overseas conference.
Senator Jim Walsh (Chairman, Confederation of European Councillors)
Mr Peter Caruna (Chief Minister, Gibraltar Government)

10.30am - 1.00pm
CROSS BORDER RELATIONS IN MODERN EUROPE
Case Studies: Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar/Spain
Mr. Andrew MacKinlay MP (House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee)
Mr. Billy Bell MLA (Lisburn City Council)
Mr Michael Lawlor (Former Chairman, Local Authorities Members Association)
Our first session will focus on a comparative study of the two relationships, highlighting the historical and political backgrounds and areas such as political development and cooperation, security and other issues of mutual interest.

1.00pm - 2.00pm
LUNCH
Lunch will be served at the Caleta Hotel

2.00pm
STUDY TOUR OF GIBRALTAR ROCK
With its impressive stature, the Rock of Gibraltar is a beacon which signals the position of the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrow neck which separates Europe from Africa and provides the only link between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

7.00pm
CONFERENCE DINNER

______________________________________________________________

Friday, 15th October 2004:

10.00am - 11.30am
CONFEDERATION OF EUROPEAN COUNCILLORS
Activities and Future Developments
Senator Jim Walsh (Chairman, Confederation of European Councillors)
Cllr Ronnie Ferguson (General Secretary, CEC)
Mr John Devaney (Partnership Manager, CEC)
This session shall allow us to deliver our annual report to members, reviewing the activities of the past year and highlighting areas for future development.

11.30am - 1.00pm
THE EU CONSTITUTION
Mr Jim Allister MEP
As the implementation of the new EU Constitution fuels debate across the continent, we look at its background, development and impact, and how it will affect local government within the Union.

______________________________________________________________

Saturday, 16th October 2004:

7.00am
INTERFACE: EUROPE AND AFRICA
Study Tour to North Africa
Just a boat's ride away from Europe, North Africa is still world's apart socially and economically. This session shall focus on the historical and political background and areas of cooperation, while highlighting issues such as security, immigration and the necessity of bridging the gap of social and economic disparities between the two west Mediterranean shores

______________________________________________________________