"The EU needs a dynamic and strong connection with local and regional elected representatives, to deliver what citizens expect from the EU." Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament made these remarks at a debate held online during an EPP-CoR Group meeting. Speaking on the pandemic Weber said that by working together, all European citizens will have access to vaccines. He added that the European vaccine certificate is a key priority for the EPP Group. He stressed "We need it to reopen the internal market and to save the summer season." Weber also spoke about economic recovery "Local and regional authorities are key partners for recovery and the EPP Group in the European Parliament will review the National Recovery and Resilience Plans to ensure that they take into account the views of villages, cities and regions."
Olgierd Geblewicz, EPP-CoR President and President of West Pomerania Region spoke on the need of local and regional leaders to play a central role in the EU decision making process. "The one million regional and local elected politicians in the EU must be fairly represented in the Union's decision-making process, to ensure a solid and stable democratic foundation for the European project. Speaking about the Conference, Geblewicz underlined that it should also include elected representatives from regional and local parliaments and councils".
Conference on the Future of Europe
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, CoR President and Governor of Central Macedonia Region said "The CoR perceives the Conference on the Future of Europe not as an objective per se, but rather as a tool to strengthen the functioning and legitimacy of European democracy and to rebuild citizens' trust. And to succeed in this mission, a major role must be given to the one million Presidents, Governors, Mayors, Regional and Local Councilors. Grassroots politics, and shifting the decision making process closer to the communities, is essential for the future of Europe. Our aim is to territorialise the Conference and make sure it goes beyond the EU capitals and closer to the people."
Mark Speich, Secretary of State for Federal, European and International Affairs for the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia and CIVEX chair said "The great opportunity that the Conference on the Future of Europe offers must be decisively shaped by the EPP. This includes a strategic inter-institutional cooperation of the EPP. It must also be in the interest of the EPP to have an adequate representation of the CoR in the conference plenary."
Alekandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk said "We are at a critical moment of deciding about the future of Europe. Citizens want to have a say on the EU they will live in. The Conference is an opportunity to think about ways to improve and strengthen European democracy through multi-level governance and the application of the active subsidiarity principle.”
Eleni Loucaidou, Municipal Councilor of Nicosia Municipality highlighted that: "The discussion on the future of Europe and the necessity of a more democratic European Union makes it key to include local and regional authorities in all decision making levels. This is the only way to have the whole picture and be able to respond to the needs of Europeans for prosperity and development."
Responding to the pandemic
EPP-CoR members discussed the need to respond to the pandemic and its various impacts on health services and the economy and to put climate and the digital transition at the core of the recovery.
Birgitta Sacrédeus, Member of Dalarna Regional Council said that LRAs must participate in the discussions during the Conference on the Future of Europe to improve coordination and cooperation as well as to ensure an efficient response to future health threats. She said "Enhanced European cooperation must be developed, taking account of the subsidiarity principle."
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca spoke on the need to put jobs on top of the agenda. "The recovery and the resilience facility is the brand of EPP. We need to show respect to our citizens by taking care of their present and future jobs in a timely action.” Boc also spoke on the freedom of movement and the need to the green certificate to save jobs in the tourism industry.
Jelena Drenjanin, EPP-CoR 1st Vice-President and Deputy Mayor of Huddinge Municipality said that the education system must be relevant for businesses so that Europe can compete with other regions of the world. "New technology demand new skills and we have to be relevant, flexible and reliable in this transition period. This pandemic and climate change has taught us that we need to also have different competences and industries in Europe. With no strong research, development and strong businesses we can’t be a strong Europe.”
Markku Markkula, Chair of the Espoo City Board, President of the Helsinki Region spoke on the the green and digital transition. "We need to ensure that the green and digital transition is done together with the people and for the people – and also with businesses. The public sector alone cannot tackle climate change." Markkula added that LRAs are committed and are already doing a lot in terms of climate mitigation and adaptation building sustainable local communities.
Strengthening the role of the EPP-CoR and the CoR
Members also discussed the need to strengthen the role of the EPP-CoR in the EPP Family and for the CoR to have more resources.
Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw said that LRAs are responsible for implementing EU legislation. "During the pandemic we were on the frontline but we are also playing a leading role on key EU policies including the European Green Deal and digital transition. This is why we need to play a more central role in the EU decision making process". This also refers to the EPP family, as democratically elected politicians with a strong mandate from our citizens we have to be represented in the European People's Party structures. Speaking on populism, Trzaskowski said that to fight populism successfully Europe needs to work together, engaging local and regional leaders in the process.
Anders Knape, Lord Mayor of City of Karlstad and President of SALAR – Swedish Association of Local authorities and Regions spoke on the need for the CoR to have more resources to work and fair share of budgetary and human resources currently being allocated between EU institutions. "We want to contribute further to ensure that EU legislation works on the ground. This is why we need more resources to support CoR Members - local and regional leaders throughout their work on EU matters in Brussels as well in their constituencies."