COR/José Manuel Barroso calls for new commitment with the regions to tackle forthcoming major projects
At a lunch on 17 December with representatives of the Committee of the Regions and seven associations of local and regional authorities (CPMR, AER, CALRE, AEBR, REGLEG, CEMR, EUROCITIES), José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, affirmed his commitment to close cooperation between his institution and the regions in implementing the Lisbon Treaty and in the European Union's efforts to address the current challenges facing our world.
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In the light of the statement by Michel Delebarre, president of the Committee of the Regions, that: "It is our duty to popularise the Lisbon Treaty and to persuade the media to play a greater educational role" and comments by Mr Barroso during the lunch about "the need for communication where everyone plays a part within their own remit, a concern which does not lower European ambitions but raises the level of expectations with regard to Europe", it is only natural that the president of the European Commission should conclude by speaking about the need for a new commitment to communicate Europe in partnership.
The willingness to cooperate was expressed by all sides during a discussion on the Commission's work programme for 2008. Mr Barroso welcomed the signature of the Lisbon Treaty, saying that it marked the "ushering in of a kind of spring for Europe for it lays down a clear legal basis for involvement by local and regional authorities in the legislative process". For the Committee of the Regions and all the other associations present, the Treaty also has the merit that it recognises the goal of territorial cohesion as a new objective for the EU, which is important at a time when the 2009 budget revision is being considered. In this context, several participants called for greater consistency between this new objective and competition policy, the CAP, taxation and social policy.
Buoyed by this positive atmosphere, the president of the Commission, the commissioner responsible for cohesion policy, Danuta Hübner, and the representatives of local and regional authorities raised the question of climate change, as in January the Commission is due to announce a wide-ranging action plan for combating and adapting to climate change, with a view to the next Spring Council. Mr Delebarre highlighted two key areas for action – housing and transport –"where local and regional authorities can make a major contribution, in terms of investment and incentives, towards changing the behaviour of our fellow citizens". To see all our press releases, go to:
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