This is how we could conclude the visit of the Scottish Vanessa Halhead, from European Rural Community Alliance (ERCA), and the Finnish Kim Smedslund, from Parnership for Rural Europe (PREPARE), that they made around the region the last January to know closer and personally the scenario which will host the IV European Rural Parliament, from 6 to 9 November. The two coordinators of the ERP were especially enthusiastic and surprised, not only with the facilities of the town of Candás, but also with the diversity of material and human resources at a disposal of the Principality of Asturias for this event organized by the Asturian Network of Rural Development (READER) and the Spanish Rural Development Network (REDR) with the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Government of the Principality of Asturias, the Government Delegation in Asturias, the City Council of Candás, the TRAGSA Group and CAJA RURAL de Asturias, among others. It should be pointed out that ERCA, PREPARE and ELARD (European LEADER Association for Rural Development) are the three European associations that, since 2013 in Brussels, have been promoting the holding of this gathering in which, all the rural associative movement of Europe participates, with the presence of 40 countries and 350 representatives.

During their visit, an intense working meeting was also held in the Plenary Hall of the Town Hall of Carreño to discuss, debate and close all pertinent issues about the celebration of the European Rural Parliament, the next November. In addition to the European coordinators, this meeting was also attended by numerous representatives of all organizations and entities that will collaborate in the organization of the European Rural Parliament.

The stay in Asturias of the two coordinators, Vanessa Halhead and Kim Smedslund, on behalf of the three European associations that promote the European Rural Parliament or what is also named “The rural voice of Europe” included, in addition to several meetings of work, a tour around some rural areas of Asturias. In fact, they visited the regions of Camín Real de la Mesa, Navia-Porcía, Valle del Ese Entrecabos and Oriente de Asturias. Thus, they were always accompanied and under the guidance of READER technicians and Rural Development Groups (RDG).

Gallery of images

Source of information: Red Asturiana de Desarrollo Rural (READER)
Links of information:

• El Comercio Digital
• Europapress
• Cadena Cope
• Asturias Mundial
• La Nueva España, Edición Occidente
• La Nueva España
• Prensa del Principado de Asturias
• Prensa del Ministerio de Política Territorial y Función Pública
• Cadena Ser
• Asturias24horas
• www.finanzas.com
• La Nueva España, Edición Oriente
• 20Minutos