The role of European cities, local communities and regions have been recognised by Donald Tusk as pivotal in confronting the ever pressing challenges facing the European Union in the coming weeks. The President of the European Council, who addressed the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions today, invited political representatives from the local and regional level to work together in a spirit of cooperation. He called for their support and creativity in designing much needed solutions.
Tusk, who presented himself as a long-time advocate of regionalism in Europe, warned that it will only work in Europe without internal borders. Referring to the present crisis of confidence in Schengen, he stressed:
"We must get the current migratory flows under control before spring. We need a Europe without internal borders so we can keep and cherish connections that transcend national boundaries all over the continent. This is what we are fighting for".
Speaking on behalf of the EPP Group in the CoR, its President, Michael Schneider warned that the European leaders should not allow further disintegration of the EU. Paraphrasing words of Australian historian Christopher Clark he warned against sleepwalking into problems like European governments did in 1914:
"We need to do whatever possible to avoid the EU's erosion in 2016 and beyond. We need a strong Union instead of 28 countries minding their own business in their corners. We have to give our citizens answers, so they do not identify the EU as part of a problem, but rather an opportunity".
Referring to the subsidiarity principle that form part of the negotiations on the EU's settlement with the United Kingdom, Michael Schneider reminded President Tusk of the special competences held by the CoR and that subsidiarity doesn't stop with national governments:
"As subsidiarity is on the agenda, the CoR has a special role under the treaties monitoring its application. In the upcoming February Council conclusions, we ask you to include a reference to these competences" – he concluded.
CoR President Markku Markkula agreed that building better European governance in the spirit of subsidiarity requires local voices to be taken on board in EU decision making:
"Subsidiarity means better and not necessarily less Europe. It allows more "green" than "red" cards to be given to support or push the European Commission" – he added – "The future of the Union does not belong to one or other Member State or does it depend on a specific challenge. The European Union belongs solely to its citizens and this is the only way forward if we are to cope with the global challenges facing us all".
Former CoR President Michel Lebrun, addressed President Tusk on the success of the COP21 conference in Paris, which recognised the crucial role of cities and regions in fighting climate change. In this context he asked the European Council President to include a reference to the role of local and regional authorities, in the final March Council conclusions on COP21: "we strongly believe that having our role recognised at the international level, the EU will follow the suit".
Having debated with the CoR members on the challenges the EU faces, Donald Tusk underlined that many of them like migration or asylum will need to be streamlined not only into EU's foreign policy, but also our debates on regional funding. He asked for the Committee's support in that respect.
He also called on the CoR Members to tackle together the growing vacuum of power and responsibilities between different levels of government:
"For the EU as we know it today to survive, the gap between policy articulation and actual delivery must be closed. We need to look again at the importance of regions, as the places where things get done" he concluded.