The annual meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), which took place at the beginning of this month, confirmed the desire from all parties to bring these countries and their people closer, to do more and become more creative in our efforts. To further ensure functional cooperation between the local and regional authorities in the EU and their counterparts in the Eastern Partnership countries, I would like to propose a demand-driven approach. Alin Nica, the CoR rapporteur on 'The Future of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) from a local and regional perspective' made these remarks during a CoR CIVEX Commission meeting.
Alin Nica, who serves as President of Timiş County Council said that there should always be a space for regional and local networking, support and solidarity between EU and its neighbours. In this context, Nica said "My opinion on the Future of the EaP will aspire to create common thinking, a new coordinated approach and political messages for the work of the Committee of the Regions."
The CoR Rapporteur added that stepping up support and intensifying local cooperation is ultimately an investment in EU’s own security. "During this war, Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of local and regional resilience but I think you agree that the importance of subsidiarity is still not sufficiently acknowledged in the EaP countries themselves." Nica's opinion will thus look into how the CoR can improve its efforts to enhance capacity building of local and regional authorities in the EaP and promote the multi-level governance approach in the region.
Nica stressed that EaP countries should be given flexibility in choosing programmes that are the most relevant for them and programmes directed towards the local and regional bodies must be prioritised. This will give the CoR a special role and responsibility.
Background information
The Eastern Partnership (EaP) was launched in 2009, as a joint initiative between the European Union, the EU Member States and their Eastern European and South Caucasus partners. Today, 13 years after its launch, the Partnership has been fundamentally shaken by the geo-political turmoil caused by the Russian war on Ukraine. Brining the EaP back on track will require a redefinition of its policy objectives and its multilateral architecture.