Brussels, 23/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - Ought the principle of subsidiarity be extended to the regions in order to manage power sharing between the Union, nation states and the regions? This is what the European regions are calling for in a report drafted by the Conference of European Peripheral Maritime Regions, according to a questionnaire on the European Convention, in which 60 of the 146 member regions replied. This definition is broader than the principle of subsidiarity but "would not encroach on the right of each Member State to structure as it saw fit, the organisation of its internal territory" in keeping with its own definition of power sharing, but the CPMR does believe that it would have the advantage of recognising the increasingly important role of the regions. This new principle of subsidiarity will be part of "regional status", that CPMR members want to see included in the Treaty. According to the document, this status is also expected to define the "general association principles" for the regions within EU policy. The CPMR proposes that the implementation of this status be in tune with the national constitutional situation but that it is also the object of an open co-ordination procedure that allows countries to make changes in assessment of its application and gage its impact. The report also outlines that the EU cannot ignore the breadth of the decentralisation process in the majority of Member States.
The regions that replied to the CPMR questionnaire also supported, as has the CPMR itself, the notion of territorial cohesion being included in the objectives of the enlarged Union. The document calls for overall sectoral policies of the EU to be used to reduce territorial disparities. These regions also support in the main, the idea of priority aid to the poorest regions, as well as a new support system for competition in other regions. With almost four exceptions, the rest of the regions oppose the renationalisation of regional and agricultural policy. The CPMR stresses that during the debate on the adoption of the documents by its policy bureau on 14 May in Schwerin (Germany), the person in charge of Structural Funds in Mecklenbourg-Vorpommen, declared that the wishes of Member States to compensate Community aid with a national subsidy appeared to be very far from being guaranteed.
These regions are asking for the definition of European policies, such as power sharing, to be clarified. They want a more exact definition of European policies (content, instruments, degree of flexibility, co-ordination between actors and other policies. They also want to see a closer link between competition policy and the Treaty's objective of economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as regional policy co-ordination and consultation with the regions. Most regions want to see a "working" method introduced into the area of power sharing, with the division of powers depending on the level of EU missions. The CPMR is convinced that this method will bring some flexibility but the regions want a list of competences in the Treaty to be set up. A minority of regions that have legislative powers want a division of powers that is clearly outlined and binding.
The regional members of the CMPR are also in favour of a "European power" in the external arena, with a strengthening of internal policies. Many members want to introduce a Charter of Fundamental Rights in the Treaty in an effort to cultivate European citizenship. They are calling for the election of MEPs to be carried out in a regional environment in all Member States and want to see the Committee of the Regions have the status of an institution.