“There has been a disproportionate impact across many regions, from my own region of South East Ireland, to Hesse, to West Sweden to Vento and Brittany, amongst others because of Brexit. We cannot simply wait for there to be a step-change in the approach of the national UK government, when there is a responsibility on all of us to better grasp and understand the potential of relations, projects, initiatives at the EU-UK local sub-national level” Michael Murphy, Mayor of Clonmel Borough District made these remarks during a CoR Plenary debate on the role of Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) in the context of the EU-UK Partnership.
Participating in the debate was Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission who agreed with Mr Murphy that Brexit is not only an Irish problem. He added “We are working closely with regions, especially in coastal member states that have to adjust to these realities. I am glad to say that 73% of financial resources allocated for the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) have already been allocated.”
Jesús Gamallo Aller, Director-General for External Relations and Relations with the EU for the Region of Galicia said the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) does not provide for a formal mechanism for LRAs to participate in its execution, despite the fact that they are responsible, in many cases, for supporting the economic sectors directly impacted. In this regard, he stressed “It is necessary to find formulas that allow regions and cities to participate in the execution of said agreement, at least in the areas in which we have powers.”
Murphy presents CoR opinion following extensive consultation
Murphy presented his opinion on ‘Strengthening the EU-UK relationship at subnational level and remedying the territorial impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU’, which is one of the first institutional positions looking beyond the intergovernmental relationship. He called for formal recognition of the CoR UK Contact Group in the TCA and called on the European Commission to re-examine the structures of the Joint Partnership Council to seek to address the lack of territorial depth. On the implementation of the BAR, Murphy insisted that the provisions of the BAR Regulation related to the involvement of regions and local communities in the BAR’s implementation are fully respected. The Rapporteur also called on the European Parliament to formalise interaction with the CoR ahead of meetings as part of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly (PPA). On areas and avenues for continued cooperation, Murphy noted the willingness from the grassroots of LRAs, for ongoing, even enhanced relationships with EU counterparts in this post-Brexit era.