The need of additional measures beyond the Brexit Adjustment Reserve(BAR), flexibility in allocation of the funds as well as engagement of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in the implementation of the instrument were the main issues raised by EPP-CoR members during the presentation of the CoR Opinion on the BAR.
MEP Pascal Arimont (EPP Group) and rapporteur for the European Parliament on the BAR said that 5.37 billion Euro is only part of the damage that needs to be repaired. He said that additional efforts need to be made in regions in order to compensate damage reaped upon us by Brexit. He added that a multilevel dialogue between national states and regions take place so that regions most effected will have more say.
Michael Murphy, head of the CoR's Irish delegation, member of Tipperary County Council and ECON Chair said "The BAR is a timely, efficient and much needed mechanism that will support Member States and their regions in tackling the effects of UK leaving the European Union. Although the impacts are already extremely broad across a large number of economic sectors, we welcome the mechanism and hope for its speedy adoption so that funds can be deployed as fast as possible and with precision."
Deirdre Forde, Councillor of Cork City Council said that the BAR is a vital EU support mechanism for Member States, and their LRAs to help business, communities and sectors adapt, revitalize and become stronger for the future.” She added that Member States must have the flexibility to allocate funds between sectors.
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk and member of the CoR-UK Contact Group said that solidarity is a living value in the European Union. "Reducing the negative economic and social effects of Brexit through structural and comprehensive support for the most affected professional groups and local communities that are closely linked to the UK's economy and trade is a great example of this."
Mark Speich, Secretary of State for Federal, European and International Affairs for the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia and CIVEX chair said “The BAR is an urgently needed instrument to support companies severely affected by Brexit. It is not just about fishing, but about many more economic sectors. Since Brexit is having a considerable impact, it is vital that the regions are involved in the rapid implementation of this instrument in order to guarantee an efficient use of the fund.”
Eddy van Hijum, Member of the Council of the Province of Overijssel said that Brexit harms both the EU and UK economies. He said that the BAR cannot repair all damage of the break-up. "We have to focus our support and look at the real effect of Brexit on regions. Fisheries and SMEs are disproportionally affected by new trade barriers. BAR is not meant to provide a structural plan for future relations with UK. This needs to be established going forward."
Csaba Borboly, President of Harghita County Council spoke on the importance of offering transparent communications of the changes resulting from Brexit on a local level.