Some MEPs and the European Commission raised questions during an exchange of views in the Regional Development Committee in the European Parliament on Monday 15 October about the feasibility of the new modalities introduced by Matthijs van Miltenburg (ALDE, The Netherlands), rapporteur on the Regulation establishing a mechanism to remove legal and administrative obstacles in a cross-border context.
As a reminder, Mr van Miltenburg, particularly concerned about the problems of subsidiarity and proportionality that this Regulation would introduce, decided, in his amendments, to strengthen the voluntary aspect of the new mechanism provided for by the European Commission, favouring an "à la carte" approach (see EUROPE 12107).
Thus, he proposes that the mechanism should not focus on a border or a cross-border region - as the European Commission would like - but on a "specific common project".
In addition, it wants to make cross-border coordination points mandatory, whose role will be to determine the legal obstacles to be removed and the procedures to be followed. In addition, it wants to extend the evaluation procedure prior to the conclusion of conventions and declarations in order to better take into account the complexity of situations.
Some MEPs welcomed these changes, such as Stanisław Ożóg (ECR, Poland), speaking on behalf of the shadow rapporteur, Mirosław Piotrowski (ECR, Poland), or Rosa D'Amato (ELDD, Italy), who supports a variable geometry mechanism.
Others, on the other hand, remained very doubtful, as did Mercedes Bresso (S&D, Italy). The latter pointed out that too much flexibility could jeopardise the effectiveness underlying the objective of a regulation. "This is a regulation, not a directive", she hammered. This opinion is shared by the Commission, which also fears that the proposal will be undermined and also identifies "inconsistencies" with the rapporteur's stated intention to impose cross-border coordination "antennas" at national level.
A hearing organised by ALDE with experts will be held on Thursday 18 October. Amendments will be tabled by 22 October at the latest and the vote in committee is scheduled for 21 November. (original version in French by Pascal Hansens)