The need to strengthen European democracy, impact of the Rule of Law conditionality on cities and regions and the need to trigger recovery instruments swiftly were the key issues raised by EPP-CoR members during a debate on the German Presidency with Chancellor Angela Merkel. "Your commitment as local and regional leaders will help Europe overcome this crisis. We need to address the economic and social impact of the pandemic so we need the recovery package to be able to help all regions and cities all over Europe. I need your support in achieving this."
Apostolos Tzitzikostas Governor of the region of Central Macedonia and President of the European Committee of the Regions said that local & regional governments are the unsung heroes of the pandemic. "They are on the front-line containing the virus, helping the most vulnerable and safeguarding jobs. They are essential for our recovery. When all our regions and cities recover, Europe will recover."
Speaking on the way forward for recovery, Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the Westpomeranian Region and President of EPP-CoR Group said that to win over the pandemic, Europe could not give up on cohesion. "Cohesion is the foundation on which we have built the EU and there is no doubt that it has improved prosperity in all European regions." He added that the COVID-19 crisis has shown that we need a more digital Europe for the benefit of our citizens and to boost European entrepreneurship and innovation capacities. This should provide a chance for all regions, leaving no one behind.
Geblewicz also spoke about the need to strengthen multi-level governance appealing for a three dimensional Europe. "We appreciate the efforts of the German Presidency to launch the Conference on the Future of Europe. This is an opportunity not to be missed to strengthen democracy and we expect that regional and local authorities will find a prominent role as the link with the citizens".
Discussions ensued on the rule of law conditionality. Tzitzikostas said that regions and cities urgently need an EU Budget and the Next Generation EU agreement. "We have the right to EU funds only if the rule of law and fundamental rights are respected. However local/regional authorities should never be punished for the behavior of their national governments." Mark Speich, Secretary of State for Federal, European and International Affairs, North Rhine-Westphalia and CIVEX chair said that the conditionality of rule of law is essential for Europe however this should not be used at the detriment of regions and cities. "We need to find a solution and to take action but not to punish regions who are not responsible for these infringements for which they are in most cases against".