To reinforce its presence and give it more visibility to European authorities, the Permanent Delegation of Bretagne in the Belgian capital has since its beginning in 2017 its own premises, baptised “House of Bretagne”.
Always located at Schuman roundabout, the new venue is made up of four spaces designed to allow a great flexibility of uses: in addition to the offices where the four people who make up its team work, the Maison de la Bretagne offers modular meeting rooms, forum for public events, but also a space for the actors of the territory during their proceedings in Brussels. The place is a reflection of a modern and dynamic Bretagne. The furniture of Breton designers has been honoured, while the exhibitions allow to make the Region known and its projects. In 2017, it is obviously the commissioning of the Bretagne Grande Vitesse line that is put forward.
A bridge between Bretagne and Europe
The mission of the Maison de la Bretagne is to carry out and defend the positions and interests of Bretagne. It is a bridge between the Region and the European institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, etc.), but also with other European Regions, with which it works in networks. “We also welcome, throughout the year, groups of schoolchildren, students, locally elected representatives and economic social actors to introduce them to the functioning of Europe and to explain why their Region is present in Brussels. “The delegation facilitates the European news and opportunities by the Region, such as the European Commission’s growing attention to learning in European mobility programs (Erasmus +).
The House of Britain presents the specificities and initiatives of the territory to the European institutions, and organises the travel of the representatives of the Region in Brussels. “Thus,” explains Aude Körfer, Permanent Delegate, the arrival of Thierry Burlot, Vice-President of the Regional Council for Environment, Water, Biodiversity and Climate, explaining how Bretagne is a territory that has mobilised to improve its waters European Economic and Social Committee. European Economic and Social Committee. “The delegation works on the interactions between agriculture, energy, maritime affairs, transportation, innovation, training, etc. The European Parliament and the European Parliament, with the Permanent Representation of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union France to the European Union, etc.
Reactive and forward-looking work
In some cases, the Bretagne team has to be reactive: find information as soon as possible, send proposals for amendments to the Committee of the Regions where Bretagne has two representatives: Gérard Lahellec (Bretagne Region) / Nathalie Sarrabezolles (Department of Finistère). Other files are required. “We are led to work prospectively on policy developments,” says Aude Körfer. “This is essential to enable the Region to position itself and nurture its own policies and strategies. It has been two years since the Delegation has been working extensively on the post-2020 period.”
