MEPs Tibor Szanyi (S&D, Hungary) and Franc Bogovic (EPP, Slovenia) hosted an event on “smart villages” in Brussels on Tuesday 11 April (see EUROPE 11763).
European Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said that with smart villages, “we are starting to deliver on some of the aspirations and recommendations of the Cork 2.0 Declaration for ‘A better life in rural areas’”. A thematic working group on smart villages will be launched in the European Network for Rural Development.
Corina Cretu, Regional Policy Commissioner, highlighted the benefits of renewable energy for a low carbon economy and the need to overcome the digital divide and ensure that all villages are covered by broadband.
Copa and Cogeca, the farming and agri-cooperatives organisations in the EU, underlined that it is crucial to ensure that the right infrastructures and broadband connectivity are put in place to allow farmers to pursue their activities, one of the objectives of these smart villages.
Bogovic warned of the exodus from rural areas: there is not enough talk about smart villages to attract young people, he said. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)