Photos:

Joseph Daul, President of the European People's Party, today called on members of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions to support the investment plan and to use it to combat the challenges faced by Europe's regions and cities during the EPP Statutory Congress in Madrid. He also underlined their responsibility to communicate with citizens and to take Europe into local communities. "The local and regional message needs to be heard loud and clear" he said, before stressing that the slogan "Together" was chosen for the EPP Congress because the centre-right family will unite to drive forward solutions to contemporary issues. The financial crisis has affected the whole of Europe, but strikingly it has also increased regional disparities in the EU. While national GDP projections show a slow convergence for the years to come, it is a priority for the EPP to better promote the responsible use of financial instruments to boost jobs and growth. “It’s very appropriate that we are discussing sustainable investment plans in Spain today because you have shown how to make better use of the EU budget at the local and regional level” Michael Schneider, President of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions, said. “Not only have we seen almost all of the Spanish regions catch up in terms of economic development, the Spanish EPP-led government is using EU funds responsibly to boost competitiveness and innovation, alongside its targeted SME Initiative, to get Spain's regions and cities get back on track.” During the first presentations on the Investment Plan, it was immediately apparent that the EPP Group's initial concerns have been heard and the improvements mean the European Fund for Strategic Investment is now up and running. It was also stressed that this is not the only financial support available to local and regional authorities. The 300 representatives of local and regional governments gathered in Madrid therefore concluded that more work needs to be done to boost synergies between the Investment Plan for Europe and existing financial instruments, such as the structural funds. They also expressed their expectation that financing opportunities for small-scale projects and clusters will be given adequate financial support so they may contribute to creating growth and jobs in local communities. Looking to the future, Markku Markkula, President of the European Committee of the Regions, said: "Cities and regions are engines for growth and jobs - this is where we make or break a fresh and innovative start for the European economy. This is why under my political mandate the European Committee of the Regions prioritises boosting innovations and investments to improve the quality of life for our citizens". Madrid Declaration