Innsbruck, 10/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - In a video message addressed to around 1300 participants at the 23rd General Assembly of the Council of the European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) on 10 May in Innsbruck (EUROPE 9174), the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso sang the praises of the subsidiarity principle. In this respect, the President welcomed the Congress' choice of theme, “The Future of Public Services in Europe: Meeting our Citizens' expectations” because he believed that this involves “an area where the subsidiarity principle has played a major role: most services come under the responsibility of local and regional authorities”. President Barroso also highlighted the importance of the role of local and regional representatives in the European integration process and in its future evolution.
In his message, President Barroso pointed out that since CEMR was set up 55 years ago, cooperation between the municipalities and regions with the European institutions had been, “efficient and crowned with success. In this way you have contributed to pushing forward the European integration process”. He also affirmed that cooperation is “vital for the present and for the future”, insofar as Europe has to face a number of challenges such as globalisation, increasingly fierce international competition and a low birth rate. Mr Barroso therefore made an urgent appeal for action, “inaction is not a solution. If we in Europe do not move forward, others will do so in our place, elsewhere in the world. If we do not act, the world will continue to progress without us. But if we act, we can influence its progression in accordance with our interests and values”. To achieve this goal, “there is only one option…We have to step out of the Brussels microcosm and talk to those involved on the ground in order to familiarise ourselves with their concerns”. President Barroso added that, “I am very committed to the principle of subsidiarity”.
In the context of services of general interest, the President pointed out that these were a fundamental part of “our society, a key to citizen solidarity and a source of employment and investment. Quality services of general interest at affordable prices are also a decisive factor for improving our competitiveness”. Mr Barroso added that in this area, “the principle of subsidiarity is important…The proximity of authorities managing these services is a gage of efficiency and social utility”. The President concluded that, “We will defend, therefore, the interests of service users and ensure that the solutions we propose have a positive effect on the economic situation, growth, jobs and therefore the wellbeing of citizens in each region of Europe. Let's aim for this goal together!”