At the 14th Annual Meeting of the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP), EPP-COR members underlined the crucial role of local and regional authorities in implementing the EU’s New Black Sea Strategy. In a debate on “The New Black Sea Strategy of the EU – A New Geopolitical Context for the Eastern Partnership,” EPP-CoR members highlighted the need for territorial balance, local democracy, and community-driven partnerships.
Csaba Borboly: “The Eastern Border Is a Bridge, Not a Periphery”
Csaba Borboly, Member of Harghita County Council (Romania), expressed full support for the EU’s New Black Sea Strategy and its goal to strengthen connectivity and resilience.
“We must ensure that future investments are territorially balanced — benefiting and empowering border regions, not just serving central transit corridors,” he said.
Borboly called for prioritising local SMEs, youth mobility, and cross-border economic hubs. He proposed a pilot network of decentralised regional partnerships stretching “from the Alps to the Caucasus,” focusing on sustainable transit, digital capacity, and youth exchange.
“The Eastern border of Europe is not a periphery; it is a bridge. We must use the opportunity it offers to build connections with our neighbours, with local communities at the heart,” he concluded.
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz: “Democracy Must Be Built Locally”
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk (Poland), stressed the importance of strengthening democracy at the local level in Eastern Partnership countries.
“The Commission should foresee technical assistance and capacity-building measures for local and regional authorities,” she urged. “Policies must not only be decided from the top down but involve the level of government closest to citizens — helping to reinforce the democratic foundations of these countries.”
Radim Sršeň: “Strong Local Action Groups Strengthen Democracy”
Radim Sršeň, Mayor of Dolní Studénky (Czech Republic), emphasised that building local democracy must be a core objective of the Strategy.
“Strong democratic foundations are key to the security and resilience of a country and its people,” he stated.
Sršeň advocated for strengthening the role of Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Eastern Partnership countries by providing them with more resources and autonomy, highlighting their importance in rural development and democratic participation.
Arnoldas Abramavičius: “CORLEAP Can Translate the Strategy into Local Realities”
Arnoldas Abramavičius, Councillor of Zarasai District Municipality (Lithuania), underlined the alignment between CORLEAP’s mission and the EU’s New Black Sea Strategy.
“As a body representing the closest level of government to citizens, CORLEAP can effectively translate the Strategy’s objectives into local realities,” he said.
Abramavičius stressed that limited local capacities remain a key challenge and called on the European Commission to provide technical assistance and support for local and regional authorities — particularly in environmental protection and waste management.
Mathieu Cuip: “Local Authorities Must Be Involved in Designing Programmes”
Mathieu Cuip, Member of the Île-de-France Regional Council (France), welcomed the Strategy but cautioned that many programmes remain overly focused on national-level implementation.
“We must engage local and regional authorities in both the design and implementation phases,” he said.
Cuip also highlighted sustainable tourism as an important driver of local economic growth, drawing on the experience of Île-de-France.
“Tourism presents an excellent opportunity for Eastern Partnership countries, and support should be made available to help develop this sector further,” he concluded.
Background
The 14th Annual CORLEAP Meeting brought together local and regional leaders from the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries to discuss how to strengthen local democracy, improve connectivity, and enhance resilience across the Black Sea region. The EPP-CoR delegation reiterated its commitment to a strong, local-first approach in EU external policies, promoting cross-border cooperation and democratic governance.