​On 26 November 2018 the EA Group organised a seminar "Investment and Cohesion in Europe's Regions and local communes: promoting innovation and Cultural Heritage" which gathered local and regional politicians and experts from across the EU, Romania and the Republic of Moldova who discussed investment opportunities at the local level, with a particular focus on innovation and cultural heritage.

The seminar was organised in Bucharest and hosted by Mr Emil Drăghici, mayor of Vulcana-Băi and president of the Association of Communes of Romania (ACOR).

After Mr Drăghici's welcome address, the participants were greeted by Mr Alexandru Potor, State Secretary in Romania's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development who outlined the main priorities and initiatives Romanian government is pursuing in the field.

The participants had an opportunity to hear different experiences in the use of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and development of regional investment strategies from speakers from Catalonia, Ireland, Poland and Romania.

On the eve of the conference, the participants visited Bucharest's National Village Museum "Dimitrie Gusti" where they had an opportunity to get acquainted with the unique cultural heritage of the rural communes in Romania.

Mr Emil Drăghici, Mayor of Vulcana-B ăi and President of ACOR said: "It is a great pleasure to be able to present our rich cultural heritage to our guests from all across Europe and, at the same time, hear interesting and very useful experiences from different countries on how to attract more investment for the promotion of our cultural heritage and innovation in Romania's regions. I think everyone had a lot to learn from this conference and we are already thinking about how to implement some of the ideas we heard today in Romania."

Mr Karl Vanlouwe, Member of the Flemish Parliament and President of the European Alliance Group in the European Committee of the Regions said: "I am delighted to be here in Bucharest and to learn what our colleagues in Romania and in other parts of Europe are doing to improve the economic outlook of their cities, villages, towns and regions and by itself the lives of their citizens. Also, I am very pleased to have an opportunity to experience the notorious Romanian hospitality and learn more about the traditions and heritage of this part of Europe."