MORE than a dozen European mini-summits are to be held in Edinburgh next year when Britain takes over the presidency of the EU.
Conferences on poverty in Europe, architecture, social policy and innovative public services are on the programme for the Capital.
And customs bosses, chief veterinary officers, medical experts and ambassadors from the member states to the EU are
also among those heading for the city.
The events planned for the second half of next year will not have the same international prestige as the European heads of government summit held here in December 1992, marking the culmination of the UK presidency at that time. But the meetings will still raise the city’s profile and boost the economy.
And they come on top of the G8 summit planned for Gleneagles next July.
Organisers emphasise the EU programme is still being finalised, but at the moment 22 events are to take place in Scotland during the six-month presidency which begins on July 1. And at least 14 of these are expected to be held wholly or partly in the Capital.
The biggest is the European Social Services Conference, to be held between July 4 and 6, which will bring together up to 300 politicians and managers from across the EU to exchange expertise on delivering social policy. The 100-strong Asia-Europe Meeting of Customs Commissioners, involving high level officials from the EU’s 25 member states, along with ten Asian countries, is due to be held at Peebles Hydro, but with an extensive social programme in Edinburgh.
Around 200 people from across the EU will take part in the EU poverty round-table conference, scheduled for sessions in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, from October 17-19. And up to 150 politicians from local and regional authorities in more than 30 countries are expected to attend the policy committee of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions in late 2005.
The Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood will be the centrepiece for the discussions of the European Forum on Architectural Policies in October.
Seventy people are expected to attend an informal meeting of the member states’ "permanent representatives" - or ambassadors - over three days in July.
The UK Committee of the Regions will hold its annual meeting with, around 60 present, towards the end of the year.
Chief veterinary officers from each member state will meet for four days in September. A European Police College board meeting is scheduled for December.
The Innovative Public Services Group will meet in Edinburgh or Glasgow the same month.
And three separate conferences earmarked for the Capital will attract experts from member states discussing technical issues relating to medicines.
City council leader Donald Anderson said the events would boost the economy and tourism:
"We are all aware the G8 summit and the European presidency present us with a major opportunity to raise the profile of the city.
"We have an established track record with Hogmanay and the MTV awards of delivering major events. It will be a huge boost to the economy and we hope to tie it in with our branding work to raise our profile as an events and tourism destination."
A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: "It will offer a huge range of opportunities to showcase our country and the expertise and skills we have to an influential audience."
