Regions and cities embarking on the EU reform agenda to deliver growth and jobs
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has expressed its full support for the European Commission's renewed jobs and growth agenda and called for a deepening of partnerships between all EU institutions. The CoR - whose members gathered for the first plenary of its new mandate - warned, however, that the new European Commission roadmap "falls short" by not putting enough focus on cohesion policy, rural development and the environment.
In a debate with Frans Timmermans i, the Commission's First Vice-President, the CoRs' newly-elected President, M arkku Markkula, commended the Commission's efforts to place jobs and growth at the heart of its priorities, "The focus must be on removing barriers to growth and unlocking Europe's investment and innovation potential. We need to reduce red tape, simplify rules and support schemes that boost growth". Nevertheless, the CoRs' President stressed that the Commission's plans "fell short" by not placing enough focus on cohesion policy, rural development and the environment, "There is an apparent absence of new initiatives for the urban agenda, macro-regional strategies and territorial cohesion. We invite the Commission to work with us to develop proposals in these areas".
Commissioner Timmermans explained the Commission's ten priorities were focused on boosting the economy which, he argued, needed better regulation which was why it was proposing to withdraw 80 EU legislative proposals. During his speech he continued stating, "The Juncker Plan is there to help our cities and regions grow - but to work it has to come with reforms, national and European. We need to show we are open for business and we can make Europe perform better. Especially for SMEs, who always used to be our biggest supporters: we need to win them back, by showing that the EU is ready to solve the problems they face day-to day so they can spend more time hiring people and creating more jobs."
POSITIONS
During the debate, presidents of each of the CoRs' political groups also addressed the EC First Vice-President after which the assembly adopted its resolution setting out its views on the Commission's 2015 work programme.
Catiuscia Marini , President of the CoRs' PES Group, insisted on the urgent need for a concrete action plan for growth and job creation, underlining that European investment policies should increase the ability of local and regional authorities to effectively respond to citizens' needs. While calling for a greater involvement of the CoR in EU decision-making and the definition of Community policies, she reminded Vice-President Timmermans that the European Commission had a responsibility which comes with its monopoly of initiative and that well designed European legislation greatly improves the quality of life of European citizens. As one example, she also voiced her concern that the announced withdrawal of the proposals on a circular economy would cause unnecessary delays in providing local and regional authorities with clear objectives and a stable framework to move towards the economic and environmental benefits of a zero-waste economy.
Michael Schneider , President of the CoRs' EPP Group: "Restoring growth and getting people into work together with structural reforms must be the priority for Europe - this is the credo of the EPP. The EC’s proposal for a European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) goes in that direction, but we also need to urgently improve the investment and absorption environment for example by reducing administrative burdens. By creating synergies with the reformed cohesion policy and by using public money in a smarter and more efficient way, local and regional authorities will be able to optimise their use of EU financial instruments and present real solutions to European citizens".
Bas Verkerk, President of the CoRs' ALDE Group: "With 70% of the EU's population living in urban areas, cities are the driving force of innovation - they are home of jobs and growth which is why we cannot let legislation hold them back. At the EU level we need an Urban Agenda - if our cities fail, we will fail. People often fear that an Urban Agenda will lead to more regulation when in fact the opposite is true. A different Europe needs better regulation with policy focused on the specific challenges facing our cities. The Urban Agenda and Better Regulation initiatives are closely interlinked and the Commission must anchor the urban dimension in all EU policies"
Stanislaw Szwabski President of the CoRs' EA Group: "The EU is at a crossroads and we need to ensure peace continue on our continent. People also need reassurance that clear, coherent action is being taken to ensure economic recovery. The EA Group wishes local and regional Authorities to be at the heart of this process."
Gordon Keymer , President of the CoRs' ECR Group: "In the battle against red-tape, the European Committee of the Regions' involvement in the Stoiber Group was very important. I therefore ask that the Committee is directly involved in its replacement".
More information:
Draft Resolution of the European Committee of the Regions on the Commission's work programme 2015 "A New Start"
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