Local and Regional leaders marked Europe Day through a local dialogue in Strasbourg ahead of the official launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe with the aim of marking its territorial dimension and guaranteeing that it reaches out to people in regions, cities and villages across Europe. Elected representatives of villages, cities and regions called for full engagement in the Conference on the Future of Europe and to use this conference as an opportunity to strengthen European democracy through local and regional authorities (LRAs) – the closest link to citizens.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and Governor of the Region of Central Macedonia (Greece) said that the pandemic has shown that Europe and its foundations lie in our local communities. He added that only by working together in solidarity will every region, city and village recover. "Europe must emerge from this crisis more sustainable and resilient by formally recognising the importance of local and regional governments. As LRAs, we must be fully involved in the Conference for several reasons: firstly, to ensure greater engagement with our citizens, as we are the closest level of governance; secondly, to give legitimacy to the whole process, as we are democratically elected and accountable to their voters; and thirdly, to make the EU fit for the future, because we can identify good and bad EU policy and point the EU's efforts in the right direction."
Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Democracy and Demography spoke on the constant evolution of democracy and appealed to citizens to make their voice heard. On the important role of LRAs, Šuica said "All politics is local. The grass roots are important and we must always think of them. Through their networks and their links with citizens, LRAs make a significant difference to their everyday lives. I believe that they are key to making a success of the Conference and thereby in strengthening European democracy."
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP Group in the CoR and President of the Western Pomerania Region spoke about the need to rebuild trust and give Europe a face in every city and every region. "From Nicosia to Azores and from Strasbourg to Helsinki, each European should be able to recognise their messengers that will bring their ideas to the European agenda. Local and regional leaders are prepared to engage in as many as possible, face-to-face local dialogues with our citizens in their home towns and convey their ideas in the Conference Plenary." With respect to the need to strengthen European democracy, Geblewicz said "The principle of subsidiarity is not only about leaving certain decision to the regions. It is also about opening the European decision-making to democratically elected regional and local politicians."
Jean Rottner, President of the Region Grand Est said "The current pandemic has given unprecedented visibility to cross-border cooperation, which has been able to develop and make considerable progress. It is now necessary to extend this dynamic action and to give it the place it deserves. The Conference on the Future of Europe, is an opportunity to give even greater visibility to the voice of border workers and cross-border cooperation".
Eva Maydell, President of the European Movement International and Member of the European Parliament said that the conference should also demonstrate vision. "We need to hear the voice of the European citizens. But it should not look like Europe lacks political leadership. We need to use the Conference on the Future of Europe to present to citizens our new version of Europe, a bold version of Europe." She reaffirmed that the European Movement International is ready to cooperate with the CoR in organising dialogues reach out to the citizens.