07/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - Assemby of European Regions (AER). In their adoption of the raft of key reports proposed by the committee on regional development, particularly the report by Markus Pieper, the members of the European Parliament have clearly voiced their commitment for a strong, regional Europe which is close to the citizens and oriented towards the future. In a press release, the AER warmly welcomes this commitment of the EP. It points out that the European structural funds, insofar as they respond to clear objectives and come as part of the regional development strategies, are one of the main instruments in resolving the economic crisis and achieving the EU 2020 objectives, even going beyond them, finally to reconnect the European citizens with Europe. (G.B./transl.fl)