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CoR demands more time for EU Budget discussion and tables proposals for the post-2010 Lisbon strategy
12.11.2009, 14:22
President Luc Van den Brande called once again for the Communication on the European Budget
Review to be postponed. "More time is required for such an important political
debate. The impact of the review on regional and local authorities in Europe has
to be assessed more thoroughly and with care. The Committee of the Regions will
ensure that this is duly taken into account by the European Commission in the
final version of the Communication." said Van den Brande addressing the Growing together for a sustainable Europe
Conference in Göteborg, Sweden. The conference was organised by the Swedish
Presidency and the Swedish association of local and regional authorities
(SALAR).
President Van den Brande also took the opportunity to present the results of the CoR Consultation of European Regions and Cities on the post-2010 Lisbon Strategy . The results highlight that the Member States which perform best in achieving the Lisbon strategy goals are those, like Sweden, acting in partnership with their regional and local authorities.
The CoR opinion on the future of the Lisbon Strategy to be adopted at the December plenary session draws upon the results of this consultation. Van den Brande stressed that the main finding of the consultation was that a substantial overhaul of the strategy is needed. He underlined that, "the new strategy has to be simpler, clearer and above all more effective by involving regional and local authorities from the outset."
To ensure this involvement in the new strategy Van den Brande suggested that those Member States implementing national strategies in partnership with their regional and local authorities should get positive recognition in the strategy's annual scoreboard.
Cecilia Malmström, Swedish minister for EU affairs, joined Van den Brande in his call for a strategy with stronger roots. "Only with strong action at the national, regional and local level will we be able to produce economic growth and jobs for our citizens'.
Background
The Committee is currently conducting a survey
on "The European Economic Recovery Plan in Regions and Cities: One
Year On" which is open for participation until November 30th. Results will be
presented in January 2010 at the 5th edition of the territorial dialogue for
growth and jobs coorganised with the Spanish Presidency and with a view to
proposing a multilevel governance of the future strategy for sustainable growth
and jobs to the Spring Council.
Source: www.cor.eu