A protocol of intention regarding the financing of the Seine-North Europe was signed on Wednesday March 11. The signing of the protocol heralds a new stage in the growth of the channel.

The protocol was signed between Jean-Louis Borloo, minister of ecology, energy, sustainable development and town and country planning, Dominique Bussereau, transport secretary of state, Daniel Percheron, Claude Gewerc and Jean-Paul Huchon, respectively presidents of the district councils of Nord-pas de Calais, Picardy, and Ile-de-France, Alain Gest and Thierry Duclaux, respectively chairman of the board and managing director of VNF.

The protocol confirms the areas the channel will go through and reaffirms the broad objectives of the project. It also spells out the responsibilities of the signatories, who will all have various responsibilities to take advantage of the new channel. They all agree to:
- Develop more opportunities on the river and increase the services offered at seaports
- Use the new channel to reinforce the attractiveness and the economic competitiveness of the regions ,
- Develop new and exciting logistic and industrial activities and
- Make sure that they actively participate both in the development objectives and the environmental protection activities

The protocol forms part of the policy of partnership with the regions that the State and VNF are committed to. This partnership will make sure that the channel is completely integrated with the communities through which it passes and will guarantee support from local authorities and in local policies. In addition to this regional protocol, VNF will continue the dialogue with all relevant people in order to build a complete project partnership.

Source: VNF