Brussels, 02/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The 144 member regions of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of the EC (CPMR) met in Porto at the end of September for their 29th AGM in order to outline what they expect from the debate on the future of Europe and the role of the regions in the enlarged European Union. The CPMR is organising a follow-up day of debates on 9 May on the three subjects covered at the AGM:
- Governance: The White Paper on Governance is seen by the CPMR as an acceptable and sufficiently open basis to launch a rich and constructive debate, but lacking in ambition in terms of the activities proposed. The AGM's final declaration indicated that a reform of governance that goes no further than how the Union uses the powers it has been allocated without looking at how the regions can be associated with these policies "cannot satisfy the regions", although it does support several proposals in the White Paper, such as a more systematic dialogue with associations; or three-way contracts between Commission/Member States/Regions. The CPMR also wants the regions to be invited to the preparatory phase of the IGC, feeling that in addition to the division of powers in the EU, the IGC should also discuss the role of the regions in general. The CPMR feels that in addition to competencies, the challenge is to consider new "partnership methods with the different levels of government".
- Solidarity: The CPMR welcomes the majority view that is becoming clear both at current Member State level and at the Commission concerning the need to strengthen the cohesion policy after 2007 for all Member States' regions. The final declaration also stressed that national and Community sectoral policies should play a greater role in the objectives of social and territorial social and economic cohesion.
- Sustainable development: The CPMR welcomes the adoption of a sustainable development strategy by the Gothenburg European Summit and calls for it to be applied to coastal zones, and to be taken into account in various policies (including maritime safety). On the issue of maritime safety, the CPMR welcomes the adoption of the Erika I package and hopes that a "high level of ambition will be maintained for the adoption of the Erika II package".
The seven geographical committees of the CPMR also adopted resolutions. Some called for greater consideration to be taken of the regions when reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy, while the North Sea Committee expressed its concern about maritime safety. The AGM was held in the presence of Commissioner Michel Barnier, the Minister-President of Wallonia, Jean-Claude van Cauwenberghe, and the President of the Committee of the Regions, Jos Chabert.