Signing today a partnership between the Mayor of Genoa, Marta Vincenzi, and the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi. This partnership aims to enhance the attractiveness of the Nice Côte d’Azur–Genoa metropolitan area within a Euro-Mediterranean space.
This initiative by the Municipality of Nice can be seen as a strategic diversion from the regional Nice-Marseille axis, regarding which the people of Nice continually perceive the dominance of the regional capital. But what about the Paca/Rhône-Alpes/Ligurie/Piedmont/Aosta Valley Euroregion for which Nice was considered to be the capital?
Should the alliance with Genoa be read as a way to reach Europe without going through Marseille? Does the choice of Nice lean more towards the Eurocities option using its pivotal position in the Euromed Network?
So many reasons that add interest and spice to this international policy initiative by the Mayor of Nice, who is never short of new ideas.
A few considerations are in order:
Are we returning to the geo-strategic perimeter of the territories of the House of Savoy one year after the celebrations of the annexation of the County of Nice to France, and in the year of the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy? Is history an “eternal recurrence” (corsi e ricorsi storici), as philosopher Gianbattista Vico suggested in his epistemology treatises?
This partnership protocol will focus on four themes and launch four working groups that will enable the implementation of this partnership.
The Nice-Genoa railway link
Presentation by RFF and RFI of the projects and studies that will define the nature of developments to be carried out between Nice and Ventimiglia in partnership with France, the Principality of Monaco, and Italy.
The interoperability of railway services is also a crucial element for the success of this project.
Motorways of the Sea
The promotion of maritime motorways in the Mediterranean with the objective of:
Monitoring the RTE-T cooperation project “MOS24,” led by the Port of Genoa, with NCA as one of the partners;
Supporting regulatory work conducted in Europe around the euro-toll with the aim of having the A8 toll at Ventimiglia recognized as a transalpine crossing, similar to the Mont Blanc or Fréjus tunnels.
Digital Innovation
A strengthened cooperation in the field of urban digital innovation between the two metropolitan areas, both signatories of the Green Digital Charter of the EUROCITIES network of European cities, and the preparation of a joint application by NCA and Genoa for the European “SMART CITIES” project call in the fields of energy and sustainable development.
The future European cohesion policy 2014/2020.
Today, it is about influencing decisions regarding future regional development programs and, very concretely, directing the future program of European funds 2014-2020 for the benefit of Genoa and Nice.
In this perspective, NCA will leverage its presidency of the EUROMED network held by the city of Nice, while the municipality of Genoa takes up its decisive role within the executive committee of the EUROCITIES network.
