iInternational Partners
Working with other regions
Kent County Council works in partnership with several
international partner organisations. In particular, the county has
long-standing links with the Nord-Pas de Calais region in France,
Bács-Kiskun County in Hungary and the West Flanders region of
Belgium.
Recently, links with Nord-Pas de Calais and West Flanders have
been strengthened to ensure that Kent is able to act with the
French and Belgian local authorities on issues of joint concern and
to undertake joint projects under the EU Structural Funds
Programmes for 2007-13 such as Interreg IVA aimed at cross-border
co-operation.
Strategic region to region links:
Conseil Général du Pas de Calais, France
Kent County
Council has developed a close working relationship over the years
with the 'Département du Pas de Calais'. A Partnership Agreement
was signed on 8 November 2005 which has led to the development of a
number of joint projects of mutual benefit, for example in the
field of tourism or the improvement of public services. An annual
meeting between the Leader and President reviews progress over the
previous year and established priorities for the future.
Contact: Gerard Mazouat, Conseil General Pas-de-Calais
Pas de Calais
Conseil Regional Nord-Pas de Calais, France
In preparation for the Channel Tunnel, a Co-operation Agreement
was signed with the Conseil Régional du Nord Pas de Calais on 24
April 1987. As a direct result of this link, Kent became the first
county in mainland Britain to obtain funds from the EU under the
INTERREG cross-border programme. The Conseil Régional is currently
Managing Authority for the Interreg IVA '2 Seas' programme and is
working with Kent on a number of significant projects including
tourism as well as joint lobbying on issues of mutual concern such
as European High Speed Rail services.
Nord-Pas de
Calais
Province of West Flanders, Belgium
With the extension of the Interreg IVA cross-border programme
area in 2007-13 links with West Flanders were strengthened in 2007
aimed at identifying common priorities and developing projects of
mutual benefit under the programme. In particular, the West
Flandeers Tourism organisation, Westtierm is currently
working closely with counterparts in Kent on two major tourism
projects aimed respectively at boosting tourism in the run-up to
the 2012 Olympics and to strengthen coastal tourism by identifying
new opportunities to attract and retain visitors.
West Flanders
Bács-Kiskun (Hungary), Hungary
Following the enlargement of the EU to the new Member States of
Central and Eastern Europe in 2004, KCC renewed on 25 October 2004
its Co-operation Agrement with Bács-Kiskun County in Hungary which
the two authorities had originally signed in 1991. With an eye on
future trade opportunities notable results have included Kent's
support for the establishment and accreditation of a Business
Innovation Centre in Kecskemét, Bács-Kiskun.
Bács-Kiskun
(Hungary)
Virginia, USA
Virginia's 400th Anniversary in 2007 provided a focus for
raising Kent's profile in the US and to support the development of
long-term links. KCC's significant presence at the Commemorations
folowed its establishment of the Jamestown 2007 British Committee
and Jamestown UK Foundation. Following the signing of a renewed
Memorandum of Understanding between the Governor of Virginia and
the Leader of KCC on 14 November 2006, Statements of Intent have
also been agreed for future co-operation in areas such as the
land-based sector and on staff development opportunities.
Virginia, USA