Extending the time period to use coronavirus response funds, creating a concrete tool to allow Mediterranean countries and regions to cooperate more efficiently and build joint initiatives and the need for mobility plans to include access to peri-urban and surrounding rural areas. These were the main points discussed by EPP-CoR members during a COTER Commission meeting chaired by Ivan Žagar, Mayor of the Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica.
Coronavirus Response Initiative
Speaking on the corona virus response initiative, Michael Schneider, State Secretary, Representative of the Land of Saxony-Anhalt to the Federal Government welcomed the EU's swift response to the pandemic and the provision of well-funded programs but raised concerns on the deadlines to use the funds. "We are in the process of using these resources and opportunities in the regions and municipalities. We noticed that the rules and framework conditions are not optimal. Based on our experience, we urgently need to improve this: we need more time and fewer bureaucratic obstacles, otherwise there is a risk that funds will expire and the expected goals of combating the economic and social consequences of the pandemic will not be achieved."
Towards a macro-regional strategy in the Mediterranean
Agnès Rampal, Vice President of the Métropole Nice-Côte d’Azur and Vice Mayor of Nice was appointed Rapporteur for the CoR own initiative report on 'Towards a macro-regional strategy in the Mediterranean'. In her first reaction Rampal said "All Mediterranean territories share a common, precious, but also fragile, resource: the Mediterranean Sea. Thus, all Mediterranean countries are, in a way, co-owners of the Mediterranean basin and have great responsibilities in ensuring a flourishing, sustainable and fair future for the Mediterranean. This is why we urgently need a concrete tool to allow Mediterranean countries and regions to cooperate more efficiently and build joint initiatives. For this reason, I would like to thank the CoR to give me the possibility and great honour to start working on an opinion calling for the development of a Mediterranean macroregional strategy."
Timeline:
Exchange of views – 27th June
1st Discussion and adoption – 28th October
Adoption in plenary – December 2021
The Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy
Members also discussed the opinion on 'The Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy – putting European transport on track for the future'. Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca said that mobility strategies must not only focus on urban centres but also fully take into account all relevant aspects of peri-urban and rural mobility. He added that territories in the EU and their demography are very diverse, and local and regional authorities should be empowered to implement place-based-solutions. "Two thirds of the European citizens live outside of metropolitan areas. The proposed shift from individual motorized transport through the promotion of bicycle lanes and public transport will be very challenging for the majority of smaller municipalities, where people will most likely rely on low emission individual transport in the foreseeable future. The same goes for the principle of the so called "15-Minute-city" that - according to the rapporteur - should be applied wherever possible. We need solutions that work everywhere and for everyone and we should not ask for measures that will even further the divide between urban centres and rural, mountainous and island regions. This is what territorial cohesion is about." concluded Boc.
Adrian Teban, Mayor of Cugir and President of the Association of Romanian Towns spoke about his involvement in the national dialogue concerning the Recovery and Resilience Plan which are guided through 4 main principles one of which being Urban Mobility and the commitment to push for low CO2 emissions transportation in the city.
Bernd Lange, Head of Görlitz district council said that the European Commission's strategy for sustainable and intelligent mobility is highly relevant for local and regional authorities. He remarked "Mobility should be understood in a comprehensive way: people in rural areas, island or mountain regions must be considered to the same extent as the inhabitants of cities. European measures should promote integrated approaches that take into account the specific characteristics of the respective local and regional authorities." Lange added that autonomous driving and its impact on public and private transport must also be considered an essential part of the strategy.