Members of the EPP-CoR Group today shared their aspirations for EU rural areas during a debate on the long-term vision for rural areas with Dubravka Suica, Vice-President for Democracy and Demography and Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture.
Vice-President Suica said that any change, in order to be sustainable, must be embraced at the local level, because that is the one that is the closest to the citizens. Referring to Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla opinion, Suica said that the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the first institution to adopt its formal opinion on this long-term vision. "Your recommendations will provide us with guidance for the implementation phase of this Vision."
Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, Rapporteur for the CoR opinion on A Long-term vision for the EU's rural areas stressed that agriculture, mobility, digital connectivity and renewable energy are the strategic areas that should support the Rural Pact. The President of the Region of Andalusia added that to curb depopulation in rural areas, the rural agenda had to facilitate generational change and stimulate the creation of social and economic opportunities.
Rural Agenda must address depopulation trends
Radim Sršeň, Mayor of the Municipality of Dolní Studénky said that rural areas are not a museum. "Rural areas should unlock their potential using modern technologies and smart approaches. Digital transformation can bring services, jobs, education, medical and social care and public services straight to the living rooms of people and, as a result, make rural areas more attractive place to live for all generations, including young people."
Frans Schausberger, Representative of Salzburg Province said that the attractiveness of rural areas increased enormously due to the new possibilities of working from home, the rediscovery of one’s own rural regions as local recreation areas and tourist destinations in times of closed borders, due to the healthy environment and organic food. "The right lessons for a long-term vision must be drawn from this. This applies above all to digitization, to the areas of health, education, culture and social affairs and to the transport infrastructure."
Nikola Dobroslavić, President of Dubrovnik-Neretva County said that rural areas are witnessing dangerous depopulation. "This trend is disastrous and needs to be stopped. It is necessary to engage with local and regional authorities, especially those from rural areas, to address such a challenge.
Speaking on the role of connectivity and investments to reduce depopulation, Alin-Adrian Nica, President of Timiș County Council, "In Timis County we are developing a zero-emissions hydrogen powered tram-train connection to link the mountain communities to the urban areas to stop the depopulation of these rural areas and transition the younger generations towards value-added activities. I believe connectivity should be one of the pillars of the long-term vision for rural areas and the rural dimension should be included in all policies, together with adequate tailored financial support and less complicated procedures to boost implementation of projects for local authorities."
Harald Sonderegger, member of the State Parliament of Vorarlberg stated that the expansion of renewable energies will mainly take place in rural areas that will bring new development potential for these areas.
LRAs are already embracing the Rural Pact
Thomas Schmidt, Minister for Regional Development, Free State of Saxony welcomed the fact that the European Commission wants to develop rural areas through an action plan. "In Saxony, we have already committed ourselves to this endeavour under the guiding principle of innovation-based regional development.”
Ellen Nauta-Van Moorsel, Mayor of the municipality of Hof van Twente said “ The long term vision for the EU rural areas provides a clear analysis and an action plan that we can use in our work at the CoR but also in our own municipalities. That is why I also want to embrace the initiative for a rural pact. The rural areas throughout Europe may be diverse, we all need to work together on the same challenges and opportunities!”
Specific challenges of rural areas must not be overlooked
Adrian Teban, Mayor of Cugir said that there are rural communities in remote or in mountainous areas, that are not being supported through EU policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy. The President of the Romanian Towns’ Association said that the EU Rural Agenda must not forget about these areas.
Sonja Ledl-Rossmann, President of the Parliament of the Tyrol spoke on the increased occurrence of large carnivores that was leaving an impact on livestock leading to abandonment of alpine pasture management which is key for tourism, job creation and landscape conservation in rural areas. In this regard she called on the European Commission to establish a common European wolf management, which would allow for an adjustment of the protection status depending on the development of the populations and allow for a better management of the predator populations - especially that of wolves - by adapting European legislation to the situation on the ground.
Birgitta Sacrédeus, member of Dalarna Regional Council emphasised that attention must be given to the rural policy and not only to agriculture as rural areas were not just linked to this sector.
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