Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on city diplomacy
Date: 2009-02-12
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: CoR opinion, European citizenship, Union for the Mediterranean, conflict prevention, democracy, local authority, social role, urban area








C_2009120EN.01000101.xml










28.5.2009   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 120/1





Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on city diplomacy
2009/C 120/01
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS






—


recognises the vital and growing role of city diplomacy — which can be broadly defined as a tool with which local authorities and their bodies can promote social cohesion, environmental sustainability, conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation, at global level, with the aim of creating a stable environment in which people can live together peacefully in a climate of democracy, progress and prosperity










—


recognises that modern diplomacy is not expressed and practised by national governments alone, and that in view of the need for dialogue, cooperation and coordination in order to achieve the objectives of peace, democracy and respect for human rights at all levels, closer cooperation between national governments and local and regional authorities is a natural and necessary route towards more effective procedures and strategies at multiple levels. Towns and cities play a significant role in international cooperation since they work together with other municipalities in international networks










—


considers that in the broader context of cross-border cooperation, and that of European Neighbourhood Policy and the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument in particular, there is room for promoting cooperation with the European Commission with a view to considering subjects, policies and, above all, activities that fall within the sphere of city diplomacy










—


welcomes the revival of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and stresses the importance here of having a strand for dialogue between EU Member State local authorities and European Neighbourhood Policy partners in the Mediterranean, as well as Eastern Europe










—


stresses the potentially crucial nature of the EU's experience of knowledge transfer in all fields where city diplomacy might be deployed, including good governance, promotion of transparency, the fight against corruption, local development, infrastructure, health, education and training, the fight against human trafficking, youth, gender equality and cross-cultural dialogue











Rapporteur


:


Eleni Loucaides (CY/EPP)
Municipal Councillor of Nicosia





POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
as the European institutional body representing the local and regional authorities of the Member States, in accordance with the Treaty on European Union,






1.


recognising the vital and growing role of city diplomacy — which can be broadly defined as a tool with which local authorities and their bodies can promote social cohesion, environmental sustainability, conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation, at global level, with the aim of creating a stable environment in which people can live together peacefully in a climate of democracy, progress and prosperity;










2.


bearing in mind that this role is recognised internationally and that many cities, local authorities and, in particular, municipal bodies in the EU Member States have been devoting themselves for many years now to city diplomacy, and that with a thorough knowledge of the sphere they play a central role and contribute effectively in forging alliances to facilitate dialogue and prevent conflicts, in promoting conflict resolution, in post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation, and in the development of third countries both on the European continent, especially in the Balkans, and in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and the rest of the world;










3.


recognising that the world is increasingly urbanised and complex and that every day cities and their local authorities are on the front line in a multicultural environment, working to secure citizens' rights, reduce tensions, resolve conflicts, promote social and economic inclusion and territorial cohesion, promote dialogue between cultures and religions, and states and peoples, and promote peace and stability;










4.


recognising that modern diplomacy is not expressed and practised by national governments alone, and that in view of the need for dialogue, cooperation and coordination in order to achieve the objectives of peace, democracy and respect for human rights at all levels, closer cooperation between national governments and local and regional authorities is a natural and necessary route towards more effective procedures and strategies at multiple levels;










5.


recognising that towns and cities play a significant role in international cooperation since they work together with other municipalities in international networks. It is important to note, however, that towns and cities carry out such tasks on their own initiative;










6.


recognising at the same time that city diplomacy and, more broadly, decentralised cooperation are complementary tools when it comes to promoting peace and understanding between peoples, and that local and regional authorities underpin initiatives for coexistence and reconciliation between states and peoples, always operating in the context of international laws on human rights and the principles and values of the European Union;










7.


concerned about the new challenges facing humanity, including climate change, natural catastrophes, access to drinking water and other natural resources, the danger of pandemics, hunger, poverty, the constant increase in migration, which are producing a wave of extremism in our societies, of intolerance and tensions between communities of differing cultures, ethnic origins, religions and traditions, which often become causes of conflict both within and between states, and believing that it is necessary to adopt a common approach and take joint action;










8.


committed to promoting sustainable development in our cities and territories, to make them more just, more cohesive and respectful of fundamental human rights and equality between men and women of every race, culture and religion, while respecting the need for access to education and the labour market, with a view to strengthening democratic procedures and local self government, which are vital in building a more unified and peaceful world;










9.


aware that the changing nature of conflicts places a constant burden on local authorities to secure the well-being of their citizens and that dialogue and closer cooperation between local and regional authorities at international level could make a contribution to mutual understanding, to the promotion of common goals and to the solution of conflicts regardless of their cause;










10.


recognising that it is people and local communities that suffer as a result of the failure of central governments to initiate dialogue in order to resolve problems constructively so as to restore order and stability;










11.


also accepting that local authorities, as the tier of government closest to the general public, are aware of people's needs and are best placed to determine and respond to those needs at times of crisis or conflict, and also to anticipate them;










12.


believing that it is the duty of local authorities to work for freedom, democracy and progress and thus to contribute to international development and the achievement of peace;










13.


recognising that the EU, and EU policies such as the European Neighbourhood Policy, will face enormous difficulties in developing their full potential if there is failure to resolve the conflicts that make regional cooperation extremely difficult if not impossible;










14.


bearing in mind that the increasing profile and influence of city diplomacy was demonstrated recently with the organisation of the First World Conference on City Diplomacy, which discussed the role of local authorities in conflict prevention, peace building and post conflict reconstruction and restructuring, held in the Hague on 11-13 June 2008, at which the Committee of the Regions was represented;










15.


recognising the pioneering and responsible work that has been done and is still being done in the field of city diplomacy by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, the Committee on City Diplomacy, Peace Building and Human Rights of ‘United Cities and Local Governments’, the Association of Local Democracy Agencies, the worldwide movement Mayors for Peace, relevant United Nations agencies, the Glocal Forum and other international institutions and NGOs;










16.


invites all local governments to weigh up their responsibilities in terms of maintaining peace and justice and to promote human rights for all, building cohesive cities for a cohesive world;










17.


reiterates the need for more effective and transparent aid mechanisms at international level, simplified procedures and, above all, involvement of local authorities in both the development and implementation of the relevant tools;










18.


welcomes the European Commission's communication published on 8 October 2008 on the need for local and regional authorities to play a greater role in planning and implementing development measures in the EU and on the need for a structured dialogue between local and regional authorities and the Commission under the aegis of the Committee of the Regions;










19.


also welcomes the reference made in the above-mentioned communication to the creation of a platform for the exchange of information between the local and regional authorities of the EU as suggested by the Committee of the Regions;










20.


would stress that the EU has a direct interest in seeking to resolve regional conflicts and problems that undermine Europe's security, and to prevent unchecked migratory flows and interruption of energy supplies and promote world peace in general;










21.


reiterates its belief that a prosperous and safe neighbourhood can be achieved only through effective cooperation at local and regional level;










22.


believes that local and regional authorities are best placed to determine and address the citizens' needs both preventively and in post conflict situations;










23.


considers that in the broader context of cross-border cooperation, and that of European Neighbourhood Policy and the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument in particular, there is room for promoting cooperation with the European Commission with a view to considering subjects, policies and, above all, activities that fall within the sphere of city diplomacy;










24.


welcomes the revival of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and stresses the importance here of having a strand for dialogue between EU Member State local authorities and European Neighbourhood Policy partners in the Mediterranean, as well as Eastern Europe and the Caucasus where, it should be pointed out, the EU has been playing an important role in promoting the peace process and providing humanitarian aid since hostilities broke out in August 2008;










25.


repeats its intention to promote the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly, in order to flesh out the Barcelona Process and the Union for the Mediterranean, agreed to on 13 July by the European Council in Paris, with a view to this furthering the objectives of city diplomacy;










26.


welcomes the final declaration of the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean ministerial conference, held on 3-4 November 2008 in Marseilles, which essentially accepts the proposal made by the Forum of Local and Regional Authorities held on 22-23 June in Marseilles and reiterated in its opinion of 8 October, and undertakes to involve the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (EMRLA) in the Union for the Mediterranean once it has been set up;










27.


recognises that despite the past experience of all the parties involved and their constructive and practical role, there are no set rules of procedure for city diplomacy;










28.


notes that it remains difficult to identify precisely the main factors determining the success or failure of city diplomacy; for this reason, procedures must be tailor-made and flexible in order to function in a rapidly changing environment;










29.


is convinced that the players involved in city diplomacy must be aware that it is a complex process that must go hand in hand with other efforts, and that it is important to have a good understanding of the specific circumstances of a conflict zone and the historical context of the conflict, and to secure the consent of the local authorities concerned for any initiative or action;










30.


believes that the experience and cooperation of the EU's institutions in this area is critical and reiterates the need for greater political and technical support in order to secure constant cross-border cooperation of the States neighbouring the EU at the level of local government; invites the Member States and the countries involved to make full use of TAIEX and other existing twinning instruments and programmes, such as the Europe for Citizens Programme 2007-2013, in order to lay the foundations for an approach based on city diplomacy;










31.


notes that it is possible to organise local government employee exchanges between EU Member States in order to promote the city diplomacy dimension and also closer cooperation and coordination between them for pooling experience and creating of networks of activities;










32.


would stress the potentially crucial nature of the EU's experience of knowledge transfer in all fields where city diplomacy might be deployed, including good governance, promotion of transparency, the fight against corruption, local development, infrastructure, health, education and training, the fight against human trafficking, youth, gender equality and cross-cultural dialogue;










33.


notes the need for the European Commission and Member States to continue working together with local authorities and civil society to promote human rights and the rights of all disadvantaged groups in municipalities, inviting particularly the countries involved in Euro-Mediterranean cooperation to be more open to supporting civil society, local government and, by extension, city diplomacy;










34.


considers that although on the one hand there is a need for international players to strengthen and facilitate the work of city diplomacy, while realising that no new structures should be set up unless entirely necessary and then only to serve specific needs;










35.


recommends that the Commission for External Relations and Decentralised Cooperation closely monitor developments in this field, encourage communication between the bodies involved and European and international networks and NGOs, and where feasible specify those regions where it might be possible for city diplomacy to be applied and where the Committee of the Regions might act as a catalyst;










36.


recommends that the Committee of the Regions inform the EU of the needs of local and regional authorities in regions where there is conflict, and invites it to play a more active part in resolving conflicts by supporting city diplomacy and related measures;










37.


also invites the EU to put city diplomacy on the agenda of meetings with the relevant international bodies;










38.


would encourage the European Commission to promote regional programmes with the aim of involving local and regional authorities and their collective bodies in city diplomacy in order to promote common goals and principles;










39.


welcomes the initiative taken by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe to draw up a European Charter on City Diplomacy and the prospect of setting up a fund to support city diplomacy, and calls on the EU to look into setting up a funding instrument for supporting measures and promoting city diplomacy more generally;










40.


in view of the major response to the annual Open Days of the European Week of Regions and Cities, recommends that a specialised information seminar be prepared on city diplomacy, for inclusion in the programme of the 2009 event;










41.


will draw Member States' attention to city diplomacy, underlining its dedication to the values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, inviting Member States to support city diplomacy initiatives, both bilaterally and multilaterally, as a highly promising tool for supporting dialogue between local and regional bodies at international level and in the general framework of Member States' foreign policies, thus underpinning civil society initiatives for long-term peace;










42.


will inform the President of the European Commission, the EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Commissioner for External Relations, the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid and the President of the European Parliament of the content of this opinion, stressing the role that it proposes should be developed for city diplomacy and the benefit for the EU in terms of strengthening its foreign policy and achieving the objectives of peace, security and stability.





Brussels, 12 February 2009.

The President
of the Committee of the Regions
Luc VAN DEN BRANDE