Brussels, 15/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - Closer involvement of local and regional authorities in European migration policies and use of unspent European regional funding for the 2007-2013 are the two main points to have come out of the debate on migration policy between regional and local authorities and MEPs on Wednesday 14 October.
The meeting, part of the Open Day 2015 (see EUROPE 11408) and organised in cooperation with the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) at the invitation of MEP Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi (EPP, Greece) focused on three main points: the humanitarian emergency, integration of the migrants and inter-regional cooperation.
In view of the urgency of the situation, the regions call for greater room for manoeuvre through a clear regulatory framework and substantial financial aid. Andrea Cozzolino (S&D, Italy) raised the possibility of making use of unused 2007-2013 regional funding. Laura Ferrara (EFDD, Italy), however, would prefer to see better use being made of available funding before calling for public money, while always ensuring better traceability and transparency in the use of funds.
In addition, migration should be seen over the long term, stressed speakers, some referring to Europe's long history of waves of migration. “Immigration can boost development, as has been seen in several countries in the past, including the United States, Australia and Germany”, said President of the Region of Sicily Rosario Crocetta.
The regions argue that migration policy requires closer cooperation with the neighbourhood countries with a view to stabilising their socio-economic and political situations. In this context, the regions are of the opinion that better use could be made of the Union for the Mediterranean. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)