In a period of important political and structural changes on the European arena after the Parliamential elections in June this year and shortly before the coming into power of the Lisbon Treaty, this year’s second Parliamentary Evening of the European Chemical Regions took place on 18th November 2009 in Brussels and was hosted by ECRN member region North Rhine-Westphalia.

After a welcome from Hans H. Stein, the Director of the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU and a short presentation of the ECRN’s aims and expectations towards European policymakers by ECRN

Vice-President and Director of Industrial Policy Department in the Ministry for Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, Karl-Uwe Bütof, political tendencies and approaches as well as role and practical needs concerning the chemical industry sector were presented by the Chairman of the ITRE Committee of the European Parliament Mr. Herbert Reul, and by Dr. Alfred Oberholz, formerly Evonik Industries. The presentations were well received by the audience as they showed a common understanding of how important the chemical sector is for Europe and its regions.

After the speeches, MEPs and participants from public and private organisations had the opportunity for intensive dialogue and exchange of opinion and experience on how European policymakers currently meet the regional needs and interests.