As elected representatives, MEPs and CoR members can work together to bring Europe closer to citizens
"Building trust and bringing Europe closer to citizens should not be a digital or bureaucratic registration of opinions. Members of the European Parliament and members of the CoR should meet citizens and hold honest dialogues. As accountable representatives we can do this together." Olgierd Geblewicz, EPP-CoR President made these remarks during a debate with David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament.
Geblewicz added that the Conference will be a trust-building exercise and an opportunity to make the EU better understood and more relevant for citizens from all walks of life. He recalled that 70% of EU legislation is implemented by regions. In this regard he outlined the need to strengthen the say of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in Brussels through organized structured channels for input from CoR members in the work of EU institutions, especially in the legislative work of the European Parliament.
From his end, David Sassoli said that the Europe needs to renew its ties with citizens. "The European Parliament and the CoR are natural allies and we need to promote participation and think together how democracy can work and how we can make it more efficient. This is a chance to reach out to citizens but also to minorities, this is a chance to reach people in cities and regions but also in rural areas" said Sassoli. Referring to local democracy, the President of the European Parliament said that LRAs are in constant contact with citizens and that this access is a great opportunity for LRAs to play a key role in building the future of Europe.
Sassoli added that 75% of EU citizens live in cities. He said that urban areas need to be rethought in particular to adapt to climate threats. "We need to restructure and rethink our cities to improve air quality. We need to green our cities to combat climate change and reduce pollution" he concluded.
Speaking on economic recovery and the role of the green and digital transition, Geblewicz who is President of West Pomerania Region said "We urgently need an economic recovery, a recovery that is based on green and digital transition, a transition that is done for the people and with the people. To implement the ambitious target of cutting CO2 emissions by 55%, cities and regions need appropriate funding. We therefore call for direct funds from the EU budget and other European financial institutions."