French EU Presidency Makes Fight Against Alzheimer's Disease A Priority

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 05 Jul 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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At a joint press conference with Commission President Barroso on 2 July 2008 highlighting the priorities of the French Presidency, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the commitment of the French Presidency to the development of a European Alzheimer's Plan. He stressed that the French Presidency would be working with all its partners to find concrete solutions for this scourge which affects millions of Europeans.

Commission President Barroso supported the French initiative to discuss the fight against Alzheimer's disease with all 27 Member States and gave his commitment to finding answers to the day-to-day preoccupations of Europeans.

Maurice O'Connell, chairperson of Alzheimer Europe, welcomed the interventions of both European leaders: "I am delighted to see that the French Presidency is the first EU Presidency to give Alzheimer's disease such a high priority. Alzheimer Europe has called for dementia to be made a European priority and has specificially called for the development of a European Alzheimer's Plan. To receive the backing of the acting President of the European Council will give our campaign an incredible boost. We look forward to working with the French Presidency to find solutions for the 6.1 million people with dementia in the European Union."

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