"European values can improve lives of citizens on the ground. Local and regional authorities (LRAs) can help to communicate and reinforce peoples' trust in democratic values and drive the enlargement process. These values can lead to concrete projects on the ground, the positive impacts can be seen all over Europe, through concrete benefits for all our citizens in a tangible way. We want to help candidate countries to benefit from our expertise in particular in terms of subsidiarity." Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR Group, President of the West Pomerania Region (Poland) made these remarks during an EPP Local Dialogue on EU Enlargement organized by the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in Bucharest as part of the EPP Congress.
Local and regional authorities expressed their commitment to support enlargement as a strategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity in Europe. The event was moderated by MEP Karlo Ressler.
Siegfried Mureşan, Vice President of the EPP, Vice-Chair of the EPP Group-EP and Chair of the EP's Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee said " I am happy to be here today to discuss how local and regional authorities can support enlargement because, indeed, European enlargement, and the reforms that come with it, are a strategic investment in the stability of everyone." He added that the EPP fully supports the earliest possible start of the negotiation talks on the EU accession of Moldova. "Accession negotiations are the best instrument Moldovan local and regional authorities can use in order to develop their communities." Mureşan appealed to mayors and governors in the EU to establish partnerships with counterparts in the candidate countries, to discuss EU support and concrete progress. "People in the candidate countries are pro-European, but they need to see the results and see that the EU is not empty words."
Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, spoke on the need of peace and security and how Ukraine was playing an important role in defending EU values. He spoke about the challenges Moldova faces including Russia's hybrid war through disinformation and cyber-attacks, as well as the need to reform the justice system and fight corruption. On the role of LRAs he said "We have to build Europe from the grassroots level upwards, through communicating values, building infrastructure and ensuring our citizens and communities feel a part of our common European project."
Nikola Dobroslavić, President of Dubrovnik-Neretva Region (Croatia), the CoR Rapporteur on Enlargement package 2023 – Western Balkans and Türkiye and Chair of the CoR Working Group on Western Balkans said "Enlargement is good for the EU, it is good for the enlargement countries, but, under clear criteria and conditions." He added LRAs are closest to the citizens and have proven to have the greatest trust of the citizens and deserve inclusion. On the other hand, they can help promote the values of membership in their countries."
Elvira Kovács, Vice President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Vice President of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians said "Regional and local communities play a fundamental role in enlargement; much of the EU law is implemented at the local and regional levels." On the cooperation between local and national authorities Kovács said "Serbia is working to improve the capacity of local entities for the implementation of European measures. Decentralization is an essential reform."
Marija Buhać, President of the Government of the Herzegovina – Neretva Canton, BiH said “The Government that I am leading is fully devoted to the European future of BiH. As such, we will provide unyielding support with activities aimed at implementing necessary reforms and ensuring permanent stability, economic prosperity, and the integration of BiH into the European family. This is not only the European path, but a path that leads us out of a dark past and into a new European chapter for our Canton and our homeland. I am proud to serve that goal.”
Prof. Timčo Mucunski, Mayor of the Aerodrom Municipality, the Vice-President of VMRO-DPMNE (Republic of North Macedonia) said "In our shared quest for a Europe united in diversity, local governance stands as the cornerstone of every democracy, bringing the EU's vision closer to every citizen. As we navigate the complexities of integrating the Western Balkans, let us remember: our strength lies in the tangible reforms we undertake, the communities we build, the bridges we forge, and the dreams we dare to dream together.
Prof. Jehona Lushaku, Deputy Mayor of Capital City of Pristina, Kosovo appealed for greater efforts to simplify access to programmes and funding, as sometimes these procedures are so complicated that their benefits are not tangible for the candidate countries. She added "Kosovo has a young population – over half under 25 years of age. There is therefore great potential to promote EU values. We also need assistance to boost our capacity to spread information about the EU and to promote its initiatives and values."
Oleksandr Senkevych, Mayor of Mykolaiv, Ukraine said "Ukraine is defending European values not only our territory and our people. It is important that our people understand that the EU is a means to have more opportunities, competitiveness and democracy. This is why cooperation between local and national entities is always synchronized."
Alin Nica, President of Timiş County Council (Romania), CoR Rapporteur on the Future of the Eastern Partnership from a local and regional perspective, CoR Civex 1st vice-chair said "A stronger involvement of local and regional authorities in designing cooperation priorities with territorial impact - including energy, transport connectivity, environment, climate will generate beneficial results for the EU candidate countries." Nica remarked that regional and local authorities play a significant role in implementing policies, legislation and reforms needed along the path to EU accession and integration. He added "LRAs are at the forefront in defending the fundamental values in their local areas and communities, and in attaining the shared objectives, guaranteeing at the same time the subsidiarity principle of the EU by bringing local citizens closer to the European Union."