EPP-CoR members hold debate on the Future of Europe with Herman Van Rompuy
Today members of the EPP-CoR Group discussed the Future of Europe and the role of local and regional authorities (LRAs) with Herman Van Rompuy, President Emeritus European Council Minister of State stressing the need of more engagement in the Europe decision making process to address challenges on the ground and to guarantee confidence in the European project.
Olgierd Geblewicz, President EPP-CoR Group and President of West Pomerania Region said that EPP politicians at all levels have been the positive energy driving EU governance as we know it today. "I believe that, in the context of the current crisis and multiple challenges, Europe needs even more inspirational forces, ideas and political commitment. We - in the EPP-CoR Group - are confident that EPP family can continue to provide those, especially if we rely more in the potential, talent and expertise of our regional and leaders." Geblewicz went on to say that the EPP-CoR Group expects that a regenerated vision of the regional and local level within the European project will emerge when the Conference will end its works.
Herman Van Rompuy said that democracy is under pressure and that there is a democratic deficit at all levels of governance. He added that it is the common responsibility of all to turn fear into hope as democracy is about dialogue and not about polarisation. He called for more involvement of citizens in decision making, creating panels to discuss ideas and consulting with civil society at all levels of governance to empower people. Referring to the principle of subsidiarity, Van Rompuy said that there is a shared responsibility to achieve results. He spoke in favour of a greater role for the local and regional level in preparation of decisions saying that consulting with the 1 million elected local and regional representative is a strong democratic process. " If you listen to the local elected representatives, you are also listening to the people. The European level can offer a greater role to the local and regional level in the preparation of decisions."
Mark Speich, Secretary of State for Federal, European and International Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia and CIVEX Chair said that citizens' participation in the conference on the Future of Europe is on one hand a means and at the same time an objective. He added that the Conference has to lead to structural reforms and this may require to carry on the process beyond one year.
Michael Murphy, Mayor of Clonmel Boc and ECON Chair said that LRAs seem to be generally considered executors, but not partners in the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). "The Future of Europe debate needs to include focus on this because no region can be left behind. There has been too much box-ticking or formulaic consultations to the National Recovery and Resilience Plans, mainly by left wing and populist governments, to the principles that we in the EPP take seriously, such as partnership and subsidiarity. We want to make up for this in the RRF's implementation phase."
Jelena Drenjanin, deputy mayor of the municipal council of Huddinge and Vice-President of the EPP-CoR said "Crises like the pandemic and the effects of climate change affected lives for all European citizens in some way and shown how vulnerable we are. Therefore, the political agenda must take measures so that our citizens never feel helpless or hopeless. Together we have to build our societies strong and resilient for the challenges we face today and that are potential threats. Our democratic values and trust in the democratic system and institutions must be recaptured.”
Arno Kompatscher, President of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and Regional Councillor said that LRAs play a decisive role in implementing EU laws. He called for stronger partnerships at all levels of governance. "Several challenges at EU level can’t be addressed without LRAs. One example is the Brenner pass where better traffic management is needed and where EU policies need the input of LRAs to be successful".
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj Napoca said that more emphasis needs to be made on education in the context of the conference on the Future of Europe. "The European Education Area is one of the keys for a more prosperous Europe and the key to get out of poverty. Education is the best antidote to intolerance, racism and extremism.”
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk said that education needs to focus not just on education for young people but on all the population who need to be aware of the value of democracy. "Democracy is in crisis and education is key to address this challenge. We also need to look at digital security online."
Birgitta Sacrédeus, member of Dalarna Regional Council said that "Health is Wealth". The Rapporteur on Europe's Cancer Beating Plan called for health to also play a key role in the debate on the Future of Europe and for the cancer plan to become a reality. She said that 40% of cancers could be avoided with a healthy lifestyle and that it was key to have an EU knowledge centre on cancer to strengthen our fight.
Nikola Dobroslavić, President of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County spoke on EU enlargement. "The Western Balkan countries should become members of the EU. However, the lack of reforms and the fight against corruption, shortcomings in the rule of law, the wider phenomenon of government capture in the Western Balkan countries are an obstacle to achieving this goal. The EU’s failure to meet promises made to North Macedonia and Albania also does not help the process. We must all do more to integrate this region that is particularly important for the future of the EU.
Franck Proust, President of Nîmes Métropole and Vice President of the EPP said that the CoR had a key role to play in the dialogue process and to bring Europe closer to its citizens. Referring to the upcoming summit in Marseille, Proust said that this will be an opportunity for LRAs to give their contribution to the Conference.
Piero Mauro Zanin, President of the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia spoke on subsidiarity and the need to take into account the aspirations of communities. In this regard he appealed for the EU to look more at the local and regional level. "Only then will credibility of the EU be guaranteed and citizens feels part of Europe".
Markku Markkula, Chair of the Espoo City Board and President of the Helsinki Region said that people need to get used to channels provided as an instrument and that cities must be learning cities where education is not limited to schools and universities.
Sari Rautio, Chair of Board of Hämeenlinna spoke on the need to focus on young people when talking about democracy and to help young people advocate for a sustainable European future.