Delegates from across Scotland were today given expert briefing on the outcome of the recent European Commission debate on the future of funding for public and regional authorities in the new enlarged European Union after 2007.

Mikel Landabaso, of the European Commission, who was among the architects of the recently published third Cohesion report detailing proposals for future distribution of funding to the EU's poorest regions, was key speaker at a master class held in Inverness by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The structural funds master class at the Marriott Hotel was also addressed by Professor John Bachtler, of the European Policies Research Centre at Strathclyde University, who gave his reflections on the Cohesion report.

Frank Gaskell, head of international affairs at HIE outlined the case for continuing EU support for the Highlands and Islands post-2006.

Mr Gaskell said: "This event provided an invaluable opportunity to hear first-hand the outcomes of the European Commission debate on regional funding.

"The scale of this funding is difficult to understate. In the past it has contributed to significant infrastructure developments across the Highlands and Islands, including the mobile telecommunications network, the upgrading of many ports and airports, the building of causeways and roads and the development of schemes for small businesses.

"The challenge now is to ensure that the Highlands and Islands' conditions continue to be recognised with European funding post 2006 so that we can consolidate and build on these invaluable assets."

Mr Landabaso, who was instrumental in developing the European Commission's innovation strategy, also visited PICT Innovation Ltd at Alness to see examples of how structural funds and other EU funding are being used to help turn IT related ideas into real businesses and jobs in the Highlands and Islands. Later he was leading an innovation master class, hosted by Fusion in Inverness.