"The EPP-CoR group welcomes the proposals to overcome the energy crisis, to contribute in the reconstruction of Ukraine and to strengthen European Democracy but underlines that this can only happen by engaging cities and regions and by providing them with adequate resources. Regretfully, the State of the EU has failed to address the importance and crucial role of cities and regions in times of European crisis." Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR Group and President of West Pomerania Region said this following the State of the EU speech delivered by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
The EPP-CoR welcome's the Commission's initiative to provide 100 million euros for the rehabilitation of damaged Ukrainian schools. Over the summer, EPP-CoR members have been organising summer camps for Ukrainian children who have witnessed the brutality of the war, in various cities and regions from the city of Gdansk to regions of Bavaria, Maramureș and Wielkopolska. Ukraine's reconstruction will require massive resources. EPP-led cities and regions remain committed to supporting the reconstruction process of Ukraine from the bottom up, including via the European Alliance of Cities and Regions and by revitalising twinning as a means to share know-how on urban sustainable development.
With respect to the energy crisis, the EPP-CoR fully understands the discontent of citizens who are anxious of what they will find in their next energy bill. This is why we fully support the EU's efforts to increase its energy independence. Cities and regions are already playing an important role in this. The West Pomerania Region is one clear example with almost 80% of energy production coming from renewable sources. Cities and regions are committed to reduce energy consumption in public buildings, lowering heating temperature in winter and shifting to - and even producing - as much as possible clean energy. However, energy independence can only happen if cities and regions are given adequate resources. In this regard, the EPP-CoR calls for direct funds for local and regional authorities implementing projects that accelerate energy transition in line with the RePowerEU Plan.
The war in Ukraine has also shed light on the importance of democracy. Quoting Daivd Sassoli, President von der Leyen said “Democracy has not gone out of fashion, but it must update itself in order to keep improving people's lives.” The EPP-CoR shares this believe and this is why we reiterate our call to strengthen European democracy bottom up with villages, cities and regions serving as the foundations of our house of European democracy. This is the only solution to reach the objective mentioned by the Commission President to have a Union which is "Closer to its people in times of need."
We support Manfred's Weber appeal for a convention to strengthen European democracy requested by the Conference on the Future of Europe and for a Europe closer to the local level. Strengthening European democracy means having decisions taken together with citizens and taking their voice into account through national parliaments and local and regional authorities. We believe that Europe starts in every village, city and region. Citizens need to feel and know that they are part of Europe in order for the democratic process to work. This is why, we welcome that the Citizens' Panels that were central to the Conference will now become a regular feature of our democratic life. The EPP-CoR will continue to put this at the centre of its political agenda through the organisation of #EPPLocalDialogues.