Gaston Franco, the “legendary” mayor (since 1989) of Saint-Martin de Vésubie (the capital of the Azurean Switzerland), is the only representative of the Alpes-Maritimes population in the European Union Parliament. He welcomed us into his office in Nice to update us on his work, which lacks the sparkle and visibility of local news. Europe feels far away, citizens think. They don’t understand that it is more there than here that we are building our common future. For Gaston Franco, “my second year as a Member of the European Parliament has just ended, and I am thinking about all the work that awaits us for this new parliamentary term, an opportunity for a new momentum that is emerging. At the threshold of this pivotal year of the mandate, I am firmly committed to continuing my work in the various areas that are important to me. I will also strive to contribute as much as possible to the advancement and success of Europe because I am more convinced than ever that we need more Europe.”
Nice-Premium: We know you have a “priority of priorities”… Why a departmental agency for European affairs?
Gaston Franco: “I am convinced of the benefit that establishing a unique orientation service dedicated to European project leaders at the departmental level would represent.
Indeed, it seems fundamental to me that this agency should provide a comprehensive understanding of all European funding measures and help project leaders identify the services that will process their applications.
The funding measures are managed within three different frameworks (regional policy, common agricultural policy, community action programs) involving various programs (ESF, ERDF, ALCOTRA, EAFRD, citizenship program).
Greater mobilization of European funds is essential in the Alpes-Maritimes. When assembling dossiers, thinking European needs to become a reflex.”
