EPP-CoR Group Opposes Centralisation in EU Budget Discussions
The EPP-CoR Group today reaffirmed that the future EU budget must prioritise cities and regions, ensuring that decision-making remains at the local and regional levels. During a debate with European Council President António Costa—a former member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR)—the group strongly opposed any attempts at centralisation.
In his remarks, President Costa emphasised the critical role of cities and regions in addressing Europe’s challenges, particularly the housing crisis. "Cities and regions are best placed to tackle the housing crisis. Multi-level governance is the foundation upon which we can build a stronger, more prosperous Europe for everyone. The upcoming debate on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is about strengthening Europe and cohesion. We must consider cohesion and growth policies together. Cohesion must be a common goal of all EU policies."
He also underlined the importance of defence and security at the local level. "European defence and security are also about local communities and your work. Investment in defence can create jobs and support the development of our regions, cities, and communities. We must ensure that defence investments do not come at the expense of cohesion."
Sari Rautio: "Nothing About the EU's Cities and Regions Without Them"
Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR Group, stressed the need for regional and local involvement in EU budget decisions. "Nothing about the EU's cities and regions should be decided without them, especially when it comes to the future EU budget. We view with caution the European Commission’s recent reflections on the long-term budget, particularly proposals for increased flexibility and a stronger focus on competitiveness and resilience. However, our position remains clear: any decision on EU investments must be negotiated and approved at the regional and local levels to align with the needs and expectations of our citizens, businesses, and taxpayers. We firmly reject any attempts to centralise cohesion funding and insist that all reform and investment plans be developed and implemented in close partnership between member states and their regional and local authorities."
Nikolaos Chardalias: "Europe Must Work From the Bottom Up"
Nikolaos Chardalias, Governor of the Attica Region, echoed the call for local and regional authorities to play a decisive role in shaping EU policy. "Major challenges—from the climate crisis to social cohesion—cannot be tackled without the full engagement of local and regional authorities. Today, more than ever, we need a Europe that works from the bottom up, where cities and regions are not just policy recipients, but co-policymakers. Strengthening cooperation between the European Council and the Committee of the Regions is crucial to creating a more resilient, democratic, and citizen-focused Europe."
He also called for increased EU assistance in responding to natural disasters. "We must establish a new, significant European financial instrument—a Prevention and Resilience Fund—that would allow local and regional authorities, particularly in large metropolitan areas, to invest in protective measures and infrastructure. This is essential to safeguard our citizens and communities from the devastating consequences of natural disasters, which we have all experienced."
Rastislav Trnka: "Strong Regions Mean a Strong Europe"
Rastislav Trnka, Chairman of the Košice Self-Governing Region, highlighted the pressing challenges facing Europe and the crucial role of strong regions in ensuring the continent’s stability and prosperity. "Europe is facing challenges that test our resilience, and strong regions mean a strong Europe. In my region, we are focusing on the development of hydrogen as a key pathway towards energy security. Ambitious projects in the regions will contribute to the EU's objectives. The European Council must create the right conditions for regions to transform priorities into specific solutions that truly benefit people."
Emil Boc: "If Europe Fails, Democracy Fails"
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, underscored the fundamental connection between the success of the European Union and the preservation of democracy and peace. "If Europe fails, democracy fails. If Europe fails, peace will fail. Trust local and regional authorities—put your trust in us. We are the best guarantors of keeping our European promise alive."
Jesus Angel Garrido Martinez: "Trade dispute should not harm local and regional production"
Jesús Ángel Garrido Martinez, Director General of Funds and Relations with the European Union, Government of La Rioja, asked the President of the European Council to "be very sensitive so that trade disputes do not harm to our primary sector, do not harm to our wine sector, which has already paid a high price in the past by overcoming challenges such as COVID, Brexit or 2019 tariffs."