| “We can use the upcoming Conference on the Future for Europe to promote the Fit for Future Platform as a tool that brings EU institutions closer to the voice of citizens through their regional and local representatives. The role of CoR in active subsidiarity is not only to be a bridge between Brussels and the regions, but also to open new possibilities for our citizens to contribute permanently in the EU policy cycle.” Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania Region and the EPP-CoR Group made these remarks during a meeting of the CoR Subsidiarity Steering Group when discussing the Fit for Future Platform, a high-level expert group that will help the European Commission in its efforts to simplify EU laws and to reduce related unnecessary costs.
Mark Speich, Secretary of State for Federal, European and International Affairs (North Rhine-Westphalia) said "I welcome very much that the Fit For Future Platform, established by the European Commission in 2020, builds upon an enhanced participation of local and regional authorities and a new, much more prominent role of the CoR within the Platform. These new dimensions of the partnership with the European Commission on Better Regulation open a tremendous opportunity for the CoR to increase the impact of local and regional authorities on EU policymaking and legislation. They reaffirm the important role of regions within the EU. The CoR's involvement in the Fit For Future Platform will help to promote the concept of active subsidiarity." Members also discussed the CoR Network of Regional Hubs (RegHub), a network of European regions and cities that evaluates the implementation of EU policies. Geblewicz, who represents the EPP-CoR Group in the Subsidiarity Steering Group, welcomed the updated and extended membership of RegHub 2.0. He said that reports compiled not only deliver valuable insights on the application of EU legislation but make concrete policy proposals. With respect to the 2021 Subsidiarity Work Programme, which was endorsed at the meeting, Geblewicz spoke about the importance to take into account and respect the role and responsibilities of the LRAs when aligning climate and energy legislation to a new target of at least 55% of CO2 reduction by 2030. Geblewicz agreed with the assessment to examine the revision of the Regulation on the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). “Sustainable and smart mobility will be important topic for LRAs for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and providing alternative transport choices for citizens at affordable pricing.” he concluded. |