The day after the return of the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe (see EUROPE 12948/1), the president of the European Committee of the Regions, Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas, pleads for institutional reform of the European Union. This revision of the treaties must lead, according to him, to granting the European Union’s local and regional authorities shared legislative power at the European level, with the European Parliament, in the areas where the regions and cities have competence. (Interview by Mathieu Bion)
Agence Europe - How do you judge the results of the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe?
Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas - It was a very well-organized process. The citizens had the opportunity to express themselves, to make proposals, to express their concerns.
But it would be disastrous for Europe if the process stopped now. It is now time to act. And by action, I mean that there must be a next step, a Convention that would lead to specific changes based on citizens’ proposals.
I have the feeling, after President Macron’s speech yesterday and the declarations of the main European institutions, that we are moving in the right direction. This means that we will soon have a new process that will finally lead to the necessary changes that Europe needs to become more open, more democratic and more efficient.
What are the main reforms you are advocating?
Mainly an increase of the role of regions and cities in EU’s decision-making process. The European Committee of the Regions can play this role.
If we talk about the existing treaty provisions, then it is necessary to increase the role of the Committee, especially in legislation where territorial competence is involved.
But if we are talking about convening a Convention that would lead to treaty changes, then we need to consider the possibility and necessity of creating an Assembly of Regions and Municipalities for Europe.
When the European Committee of the Regions was created in 1993, the power of regions and cities was not what it is today. Things have changed, decentralization has taken place. The role and responsibilities of regions and cities across Europe has increased drastically.
We have to imagine, at some point, a bicameral institution with a Parliament and an assembly for regions and cities.
With legislative powers?
Legislative powers in those aspects that relate to territorial competences.
How can the half of Member States that refuse any hasty conclusions be convinced?
If Brexit does not sound an alarm bell for them, if the crisis today in Ukraine does not sound an alarm bell, I do not understand what could make them understand that we are running out of time while anti-EU sentiment is rising all over Europe.
The only way to stop this is to create a more democratic, more open Europe. And that can only be done with changes that respond to the demands, fears and frustrations of citizens.
What if Member States do not reform the way the EU works?
If the process stops here, it could be a disaster for Europe. If you want a stable and secure future, we need to make changes that I fear can only happen if we change some of the treaties.
For example, health. If we don’t change the treaties after what we have seen with the pandemic, I don’t know how Europe will be able to respond properly in the future.
Secondly, if we do not change the treaties, we will not be able to address the security issues that Europe faces with a common foreign policy.
It is now time to go further into the political union of Europe.
What timetable do you envisage?
The sooner the better. However, the European elections in 2024 must take place with the changes in place so that citizens can vote and give the green light, through their vote, to the changes that will create a stronger European future.