Brussels, 05/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR) has urged the European Commission to engage more in consultation with the regions on implementing its investment plan and its other sectoral priorities.
CPMR President Vasco Cordeiro met the European commissioners responsible for regional development, Corina Cretu, maritime affairs, Karmenu Vella, and research, Carlos Moedas, on 3 and 4 February. His main purpose was to impress on the commissioners the importance, if European ambitions are to be realised and, more particularly, for implementing the Juncker plan on investment, of involving the regions.
“It is important for the European institutions to bear in mind that not all regions have the ability or the financial structure to put in place the projects that will derive from the plan”, he warned after his meetings. He believes that better conditions have to be created so that the regions can put the investment plan into practice and contribute to its success. The Commission goal of using the Juncker plan to relaunch growth is positive, the CPMR says. However, Cordeiro calls on the Commission to consider the specific situation of each region in applying this new approach.
With regard to maritime policy, Cordeiro was pleased that Commissioner Vella had shown himself to be receptive to the idea of highlighting the role of the regions in implementing the common fisheries policy. “The regions have not only a consultative role to play, they have executive powers to implement this policy” said Cordeiro, who is also the president of the Portuguese Island Region of the Azores. (MD)