The annual State of the European Union, held by the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday September 14, was centred on investing in sustainable growth while creating jobs and opportunities for the young, tackling climate change and promoting digitalisation, and responding to the refugee crisis and strengthening European security. "All of these current topics demand quick action - and cities and regions in realising these goals", President Schneider emphasised.
President Juncker proposed to double both the duration and the financial capability of the European Fund for Strategic Investment. President Schneider sees EFSI "as an innovative way of acting on the promise to provide jobs and growth. However, I would like to stress the results created by the structural funds and the importance of complementarity in accumulating more fire power through both funds".
The issue of security and refugees formed a strong element in the speech. "Local and regional authorities are in the frontline of the refugee crisis and have rightly called for more European action on strengthened cooperation, exchange of information as well as increased border security. This call has been heeded and we will work together with our European partners for better security. These are also key themes for our conference on the role of the local and regional authorities in addressing the refugee crisis this Friday in Thessaloniki", stated President Schneider.
"Finally, I would like to draw attention to Juncker's statement on that Europe needs to be closer to its citizens and understand them better. This is what our Members - the regional presidents, city mayors and local councillors - work for, every day", President Schneider closed.
