During an online group meeting, EPP-CoR members held a discussion on the territorial dimension of the Conference on the Future of Europe with Colin Scicluna, Head of Cabinet of European Commission Vice-president Dubravka Šuica.
In his opening remarks, Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania Region and President of the EPP-CoR Group said that the engagement of local and regional authorities can promote a more transparent Union while helping to make the Conference a successful bottom-up consultation. He recalled that the CoR and the EPP-CoR members have been preparing the ground and engaged in several debates on the Conference from a regional and local perspective. He referred to Plenary debates and exchanges with Vice-president Šuica as well as to a Resolution outlining the CoR's expectations on the Conference. Geblewicz added that the organisation of several local dialogues with the engagement of regional associations and councilors will provide views on the ground on topics that the Conference must address.
Colin Scicluna said that the Conference on the Future of Europe will be an opportunity to reconnect with citizens and their representatives at all levels on all issues. LRAs are going to be key partners for the Conference on the Future of Europe. He referred to a digital platform which will be both promoting the debate as well as providing a space for contributions to the debate to be made. "We need to not only listen but also to find a way to respond to ideas and concerns. This is why we will have a feedback mechanism that will ensure that ideas presented can contribute in the policy discussion." Scicluna said.
Ádám Karácsony Member of Tahitótfalu Council said that democracy in Europe can be as strong as the link between the EU institutions and the citizens. This link can be improved considerably engaging democratically elected local and regional elected representatives. He added "The Conference will give us a time window of two years to bring back European projects to the realities on the ground. EPP-CoR members are ready to engage in this Conference and demand inclusion of local and regional representatives in all structures of the Conference."
Franck Proust, President of Nîmes Métropole said that it is high time to think of a three dimensional Europe including a level of discussion with citizens and the local level. He emphasised that this is crucial because the risk of not doing so, is that Europe and citizens drift apart leading to populism and extremism. "It is necessary that citizens and LRAs are fully engaged in this project." concluded Proust.
Mark Speich, Secretary of State, North Rhine-Westphalia asked for more information on the topics that shall be dealt with in the Conference and how the digital platform will contribute in the debate. In his reaction, Scicluna said that the topics which the Conference will focus on included the six priority areas of the Commission not least climate change and the demographic transition. Scicluna explained that the Conference will give space to citizens to discuss the subjects that are of greatest concern to them. He added that public health and economic concerns as a result of the pandemic are among the topics that are expected to be raised. With respect to the digital platform, Scicluna said "We want a platform which is inclusive and accessible to all facilitating an open debate with various views." He added that this platform needs to be user friendly across the board not only for young people but to also to users with other backgrounds.