ABSTRACT
In the First Periodic Report on the Regions of Europe (Commission, 1981) the only section with any projections about the future is related to the labour market, signifying the importance given to the human factor by the researchers in the European Commission. In the Second Periodic Report as well (which is by itself a more 'mature' approach to regional problems) again the main parameters investigated had to do with labour supply and demand while a reference is made to labour force qualifications (Commission, 1984).1 There is no apparent connection of business or political behaviour in the regions with regional development however. Admittedly the Reports try to cover the 'social and economic situation of the regions of the Community' by giving an account of the major employment, productivity and regional product disparities. They are incomplete though - to the extent that they try to make policy suggestions - without considering the effects of entrepreneurial disposition. Extensive infrastructure is not a sufficient precondition to guarantee private investment and consequent development. Of course, from the perspective of a civil servant, the periodic reports may be instrumental in identifying the problems, without however attempting to identify the catalysts of regional interaction namely regional actors.
