BRUSSELS, 12/07/06 - The European Commission is enthusiastic about a plan by the Dutch town of Hengelo to set up a 'House for Europe'. The commission intends to subsidise the project and to encourage similar projects across Europe, according to Mayor Frank Kerckhaert.

European Commissioner Margot Wallstrˆm is to visit the project in the autumn. Before August, the commission is expected to grant it a subsidy. The House for Europe is to open on 12 October, as the first project of its kind in the EU, said the mayor.

The House for Europe intends to familiarise the Hengelo population with the cultures of other EU countries and Europe as a whole. Elderly homes will be serving Finnish dishes now that Finland holds the EU presidency. And Finnish artists are to give creativity lessons at elementary schools in Hengelo, said Kerckhaert. He noted that the project also fits in with his town's ambitions to have a World Trade Centre.

Kerckhaert is delighted with the positive reactions from Brussels. "The initiative fits in excellently with the European policy of strengthening ties with the citizen," explained the mayor. "If it proves a success in Hengelo, then 'Brussels' wants to try and set up the project in more places".