On Saturday 25 March, the explicit reference to the role of the regions in the Rome Declaration was welcomed by the Committee of the Regions (CoR).
Markku Markkula, the president of the CoR, welcomed the fact that "the signature of the Rome Declaration marks a turning point for opening up the European project to citizens", and he immediately highlighted the role the assembly of regions he represents can play in bringing the EU and citizens closer together.
The declaration makes an explicit reference to the role of the regions in the European decision-making process: "We will work together at the level that makes a real difference, be it the European Union, national, regional, or local, and in a spirit of trust and loyal cooperation, both among member states and between them and the EU institutions, in line with the principle of subsidiarity."
The regions are greatly relieved. They were particularly concerned following the different scenarios put forward by the Commission – especially the fourth scenario explicitly announcing the return of regional policy to the remit of the member states. This would effectively bring an end to cohesion policy (see EUROPE 11737).
The fear was such that the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) launched an appeal for a sixth scenario, which emphasises the role of the regions in the European project (see EUROPE 11744). The CPMR recently launched an online platform for regional representatives that will help give them a voice on the future of Europe and which is expected to be open for at least 18 months.
On the eve of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini sought to provide reassurances to the regions during the meeting with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and informed mayors and regional representatives that "we need local administrators’ wisdom, sense of responsibility and pragmatism to build the future of Europe". (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)