Cohesion policy must remain a strong EU Fund and not a reserve budget for the EU in times of crises
A group of 40 mayors from the counties of Brașov and Vrancea had a meeting today with the EPP-CoR Polish and Romanian delegation to exchange views and good practices on decentralisation, multi-level governance, EU funds, the reconstruction of Ukraine and the energy crisis that is affecting our citizens, our economy and tourism.
"As members of the EPP family, we are committed to a European Union that starts in our villages, cities and regions. We cherish a strong social market economy, a competitive place-based industrial policy, well-being as a hallmark of our European Way of Life, and establishing multi-level partnerships in the day-to-day decisions which affect Europeans, where active subsidiarity is the cornerstone. We are convinced that through the engagement of Presidents of Regions, Mayors and Local Councillors, Europe can deliver a quick felt recovery that reaches the real economy and citizens helping to build and consolidate social resilience. Only by working together can we make our cities and regions stronger, and bring our citizens closer to Europe" said Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR Group and President of Westpomerania Region
Adrian Ioan Veștea, President of Brașov County Council and President of The National Union of County Councils in Romania (UNCJR) highlighted the importance of territorial cohesion and its future, decentralization and multi-level governance, cooperation and partnership at the local and national level as well as the essential role of the optimal use of European funds according to the needs and particularities of local communities, but also to solidarity and the resilience needed to adapt and rebuild regardless of future crises.
"We are here to emphasize the fact that it is more than obvious that the modern and flexible cohesion policy that we have today must continue to bring benefits to all territorial communities in the EU. Although it has helped mitigate the effects of recent crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's agression against Ukraine, cohesion policy must remain the EU's most important long-term policy to reduce disparities between territories, improve our quality of life and strengthen a sustainable future of the Union." said Adrian Vestea during the discussion.
Siegfried Mureşan, Vice Chair of the EPP Group in the European Parliament and Vice President of the EPP said "We must work together to support regions in ensuring that jobs are not lost in regions across Europe. I am pleased to have this meeting today between the Romanian and Polish delegation and discuss the mutual support in attracting EU fund to our regions."
Cătălin Toma, President of Vrancea County Council talked about the potential of his region and the direct financial support that is needed: "The region of Vrancea is one of the most important areas for viticulture in Romania with a huge potential for cultural and wellness tourism. We need direct funding for this region in order to offer the proper opportunity for our citizens to create jobs in these fields, new businesses and create synergies with similar regions as ours."
Jan Olbrycht, MEP said "The 2023 budget shows very clearly it's benefits and weaknesses, especially looking at the war against Ukraine. In the EU budget, the Cohesion policy is in real danger. There is a clear tendency to treat Cohesion as a reserve budget from which the money is taken depending on the crisis that we face. Cohesion used to be a strong instrument for local and regional development. We must stop treating Cohesion as a reserve instrument. It must be kept as the main EU policy for cities and regions."