"The long-term vision for rural areas comes at an ideal time to accelerate changes that rural societies have been demanding for some time in order to become stronger, more connected, resilient and prosperous. The recovery after the Covid-19 crisis will have to take into particular account the characteristics of rural areas and the needs of their citizens. Regions and cities are committed to make the most of the potential offered by this vision." Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of the Region of Andalusia made these remarks when presenting his opinion on A Long-term vision for the EU's rural areas.
The recommendations of the opinion focus on the need to find a balance between rural and urban areas, the application of the rural proofing approach, the valuation of ecosystem services provided by nature, the opportunities arising from teleworking, the role of agriculture and funding.
In his opinion the rapporteur stresses the need to ensure that mutually beneficial rural-urban linkages are integrated into all EU policies and recommends that the current region-city-based territorial model be changed to one based on a fair rural-urban balance.
Moreno Bonolla called on Member States and regions to apply the rural proofing approach to their strategies and investments under the current programming period 2021-2027, for the Common Agricultural Policy, cohesion funds and the national recovery and resilience plans by ensuring that such policies and funding are aligned with rural needs and realities.
The opinion expressed the European Committee of the Regions' (CoR) commitment towards the rural pact that aims to mobilise public authorities and stakeholders to act on the needs and aspirations of rural communities. The CoR is of the view that the most strategic areas in which local and regional cooperation should be developed under the Rural Pact are: agriculture, mobility, digital connectivity and renewable energies.
Moreno Bonilla urged the European Commission to facilitiate the possibility to supplement private initiatives through public funding where the provision of public goods is not commercially viable, and to consider state aid and tax credits where appropriate. Furthermore, he called for simpler implementing rules for European funds and State aid in rural areas.
Furthermore, the opinion highlights the need for the Conference on the Future of Europe to take people in rural areas into account in order to reflect their ideas, needs and potential and ensure their ownership of the European project.