Innsbruck, 11/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - What way forward for Europe, what role for local and regional bodies? These were questions making up the subject of the discussion in the main message of President Barroso at the opening of the 23rd General Assembly of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) on 10 May in Innsbruck (EUROPE 9189). Jeremy Smith, Secretary General of CEMR, and Hilde Zach, Mayor of Innsbruck said that listening and providing answers for citizens was essential because this stemmed from society's sustainability, its solidarity, social justice and understanding of the added value Europe provided for its citizens.
The President of the Nationalrat, Andreas Khol, replaced Chancellor Schüssel at this meeting who had to remain in Vienna for the EU/Latin America/Caribbean Summit.
In his presentation of the results from the CEMR steering committee meeting, on Wednesday morning, Jeremy Smith welcomed the decision to have “a common House for regions and municipalities of Brussels”. He also said that he hoped that all representatives from local and regional bodies would sign the Charter for equality between men and women in local affairs, which will be launched on 12 May, the day when these same bodies are called on to support the Millennium Objectives for fighting against extreme poverty.
President of CEMR and the Mayor of Vienna, Michael Haüpl (also a member of the Committee of the Regions) referred to a level of uncertainty created by the Dutch and French “no” votes on the Constitutional Treaty. He stated that instead of criticising the text, “European citizens ought to be able to find a positive response to their concerns within it: it is therefore a mistake to vote against it”. The CEMR President also said that the Constitutional Treaty should not be considered as being abandoned. The Mayor of Bonn, Ms Bärbel Dieckmann asked what was the new way forward for Europe to follow. She exclaimed that, “What we've followed till now has been extremely successful and despite the different positions, Europe is really in very good shape. Our children do not even remember that just a little while ago, identity cards were needed at borders!” She also declared that CEMR should make a commitment to twinning cities and boroughs throughout the world, noting, “today, we live in a globalised world and twinning constitutes partnerships based on projects for a sustainable and fairer world”. Ms Kalliopi, Deputy Mayor of Athens, where she is responsible for European and international affairs insisted on the role of local governments, particularly municipalities in the future, “There is a genuine demand for political efficiency, a stronger political participation by citizens and for greater administrative efficiency” she noted, indicating that her vision of “the role of local and regional bodies is based around three pillars: 1) complementarity between action by local governments, 2) competitiveness and innovation; 3) cohesion and promotion of local authority action on areas such as, poverty reduction, education, urban renewal, the fight against exclusion”. Ms Kalliopi concluded that, “it is this kind of scope we need”. Jan Olbrycht Vice President of the EP's regional development committee highlighted “the increasing importance of our regions”, and as Jeremy Smith pointed out the “very old friend, the CEMR”. The latter also indicated that Jan Olbrycht had been the Vice President and was also President of the Region of Silesia (Poland). The MEP exclaimed that Europe had changed and they had to modify their strategy, particularly in view of the next enlargement. In this perspective, “the most important partnerships for the European institutions are in fact the municipalities and regions”…dialogue has to be on a daily basis”, he stressed. In connection with the Lisbon Strategy, the Polish MEP asked “what we're expecting isn't that great, so how are we going to do it?” He provided the answer himself, “By working with the cities. We need them. It is very important that they take part in the debate. It should not be left to the experts alone”.
Participants had an exchange of views on citizens' perceptions of changes in Europe. According to Michael Häupl, “in the cities, a negative opinion of Europe is being sent out…for citizens, Europe is Kafka's Castle: we don't see it but it is part of our daily lives. It has an immaterial value!” Ms Kalliopi pointed out that Athens is a city where many economic immigrants mainly from South East Europe go. The Deputy Mayor concluded, “Cohesion, that's us, it finding out how to live together with immigrants and how to work with them. Athens is an example of success in this area for the whole world”. Bärbel Dieckmann affirmed that “Europe cannot isolate itself from the world. The globalised world is not just about immigrants. It also involves environmental protection!” Jan Olbrycht MEP (EPP-ED) said that territorial bodies had a role to play in development cooperation and external relations, “this means creating links, making contacts so that people gain trust”. Michael Häupl concluded by underlining the fact that “European policy is linked to contents…I think that we have to accept differences of opinion. Our enemy is lethargy, the absence of debate, de-politicisation and the lack of democracy”.