The European Mountain Conventions are an initiative of the European association Euromontana, comprising of agricultural organisations, communities, research institutes, development and environmental agencies and mountain associations with a strong interest in rural and sustainable development of mountainous areas. This network of organisations covers about 15 countries in all the European mountain massifs, facilitating co-operation between Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Among other projects of the association, these Conventions represent opportunities for gathering together to clarify issues in a deliberately open and wide debate.
European Mountain Conventions are organised every two years for the attention of professionals and aim at ensuring:
- Updated information on current European issues and their impact on mountain areas
- Open consultations and exchanges between representatives of different countries and different types of organisation
- The extension and strengthening of a European network of co-operation for mountains, beyond the network of Euromontana member organisations.
The Third European Mountain Convention took place within the framework of a special context: 2002, International Year of Mountains the first stages of preparation of important reforms of the European policies for agriculture and for regional development, related to the enlargement of the Union which will be transformed from a group of 15 Member States to a group of 27 member states in the coming years.
This Convention was strongly focused on the preparation of these reforms. Taking place at an early stage of the reflections, the programme concentrated on the organisation of prospective debates, the identification of different perspectives, reports of innovative studies and experiences, the consultation of experts and high representatives of the European institutions including Michel Barnier, the Commissioner with responsibility for regional policy.
