Building Europe in partnership : the Committee of the Regions’ views on major EU policies.
Date: 2009-11-23
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: EU policy, Europe, European Committee of the Regions

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EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

Building  Europe  in  Partnership
The Committee of the Regions’ views on major EU policies

October 2009

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© European Communities, 2009
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged

Building Europe in Partnership.

Luxembourg: Publications Ofﬁ ce of the European Union

2009 —  20 p. —  21x29,7 cm

ISBN  978-92-895-0478-2
doi:10.2863/14104

Printed in Belgium

PRINTED ON WHITE CHLORINE-FREE PAPER

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Message
from the
CoR
President  

The European Union is currently undergoing a period of institutional renewal, with the newly elected
European Parliament at the beginning of its mandate and a new European Commission due to be
nominated. This changeover has generated a political momentum that the Committee of the Regions
is looking to build upon by outlining its own expectations for the five-year mandates of its partner
institutions. 

Divided into six thematic sections, this brochure presents the Committee’s past achievements and
future aspirations for key policy areas, bearing testimony to the political significance and “hands-on”
expertise of Europe’s local and regional authorities, and to the key role that they play in the European
project. When  analysing  the  manifold  challenges  highlighted  in  this  brochure  –  from  territorial
cohesion and the fight against climate change to immigration policy or reform of the common
agricultural policy, among others – it becomes clear that they have one thing in common: we will not
achieve lasting political progress on these issues without the genuine involvement of those levels of
governance that are closest to the citizens, our regional and local authorities. 

For instance, the EU institutions and national governments will not be able to successfully tackle the
current  economic  crisis  if  they  try  to  do  so  on  their  own.  Our  municipalities,  cities  and  regions
contribute substantially to the recovery efforts through large-scale investment programmes in public
works, the creative industries or the green economy. The same is true for the fight against climate
change: while we clearly need the “big picture” and strategic overall visions, significant reductions in
CO2 emissions will not come about by top-down measures alone. The success or failure of the EU’s
ambitious goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions will also depend upon its regions and cities
and  on  the  measures  they  introduce  to  develop  better  public  transport  or  promote  the  use  of
renewable energy, and to involve their local citizens in doing their bit to tackle climate change. 

Designing and implementing effective policy responses to the challenges identified below is therefore
a shared responsibility, requiring a true spirit of partnership between all levels of governance, from
municipalities  to  the  EU  institutions.  Over  the  past  15  years,  the  Committee  of  the  Regions  has
developed strong ties with the European Parliament and the Commission, which it hopes to deepen
even further during this new term of office. The EU’s assembly of regional and local representatives
stands ready to work together with its institutional partners to turn their ambitions into reality. 

Luc Van     den Brande

President of the Committee of the Regions

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Political
Groups’
Expectations

Isidoro Gottardo,
President of the EPP Group in the CoR

Mercedes Bresso,
President of the PES Group in the CoR

to 

respond 

The  EPP  Group  in  the  CoR  welcomes  the
increased cooperation with both the European
Parliament  and  the  European  Commission  in
recent years and looks forward to even greater
collaboration  during  the  next  mandate.    In
particular, we will be placing a strong emphasis
on getting Europe out of the financial crisis and
modernising  economic  policies;  developing  a
coherent  energy  policy  and  taking  sufficient
measures  to  protect  the  environment  and
combating climate change. In order to foster a
competitive  Europe  and 
to
tomorrow’s  societal  challenges  we  need
sustainable regions and cities. Therefore revising
cohesion policy will be a priority in the coming
years. We, the members of the Committee of the
Regions, can only truly represent our electorate
the  European
if  we  work  closely  with 
Commission  and  the  European  Parliament  on
every level, as this enables us to better shape and
influence European legislation. As guardians of
the principle of subsidiarity, we urge you to make
the most of our valuable local knowledge and
insight,  which  can  be  of  great  benefit  when
to
making  proposals  and  amendments 
European regulations. As we have demonstrated
on many occasions, such as the recent Covenant
of Mayors initiative or the creation of the Euro-
Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly, we
are also ready to bear our responsibility and to
take  action  where  appropriate.  Finally,  our
electoral mandates mean that we are the perfect
channel 
for  communication  with  citizens.
Following  the  low  turnout  at  the  European
elections,  we  have  a  joint  responsibility  to
encourage  citizens  to  place  their  faith  in  the
European project and to become involved in it.
I 
forward  to  working  with  you  on
our common challenges.

look 

The  current  financial  and  economic  crisis  has
deeply  undermined  territorial  cohesion  and
solidarity in the EU, while the magnitude of the
problem  has  clearly  demonstrated  that  a
coordinated  European,  and  even  global
response, is the only way out. European citizens
expect focused and decisive measures from the
new European leadership that will keep at bay
the  overwhelming  risk  of  unemployment
reaching 27 million by spring 2010. Attaining this
objective requires a strong partnership between
the European institutions and national, regional
and  local  governments. The  PES  Group  in  the
Committee  of  the  Regions  calls  on  the  new
European Commission and European Parliament
to effectively regulate and supervise the financial
markets  and  to  come  up  with  a  new,  strong
recovery plan for the EU, focusing on jobs and
green growth. This is our fundamental demand
for a new direction for Europe. Furthermore, in
order  to  ensure  that  the  local  and  regional
dimension  is  duly  taken  into  account  when
drawing up and applying Community policies,
the key political priority of the PES Group in the
CoR for the next term of office is to anchor the
CoR in the ongoing debate on building a socially,
environmentally and economically sustainable
future  for  the  EU. The  PES  Group  will  strive  to
in  the
role 
consolidate  the  Committee’s 
legislative  process,  especially 
in  the  pre-
legislative phase, to improve the relevance and
impact  of  CoR  opinions  and  strengthen  the
institutional  ties  with  the  other  EU  bodies,  in
particular 
the  newly  elected  European
Parliament.

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Paul O’Donoghue,
President of the UEN-EA Group
in the CoR

For  the  EU  to  be  effective 
in  promoting
innovation, creativity, and jobs in the European
Union it must engage with the different regions
of the EU. This is why the views of our regions
and  local  authorities  as  represented  in  the
Committee  of  the  Regions,  are  important.  As
elected representatives we know that our local
citizens want to find ways to ensure economic
recovery,  create  employment.  Our  regions  all
have their distinct cultures, languages, people
and indeed diverse products. The Committee of
the Regions continues to promote the benefits
of our diverse Europe within its opinions. The
CoR  is  also  engaged  in  forward  planning  of
cohesion policy, for the future of the Common
Agriculture Policy, Fisheries Policy, to name but
a few. In order to achieve our goals we need a
clear  partnership  between 
the  European
Parliament,  European  Commission  and  the
Committee of the Regions.  This is the reason
that I feel it is important that we tell you what
our current work entails in major EU policy fields
and I encourage all readers to engage with the
work of the CoR.

Flo Clucas,
President of the ALDE Group in the CoR

For more than 2000 years, Europe has struggled
to  breach  the  gap  between  those  who  are
governed, and those who govern. Over time, a
European  dream  of  democracy,  freedom,  the
rule  of  law,  interdependance  and  prosperity
developed, culminating in a Union of sovereign
states agreeing to come together.Those seeking
to join the EU believe in this dream, but in recent
times, many of the EU’s own citizens have lost
sight of this dream. We must keep the flame of
the European vision burning, as a bright hope in
an  uncertain  world,  standing  for  those  great
ideals that brought us together. Because there
are  millions  of  citizens  whose  attention  and
interest centres on their local or regional politics
(more  so  than  national  or  European)  the
Committee of the Regions, with members drawn
from  local  and  regional  government,  has  the
ability to relate directly to these citizens in a way
other  EU  institutions  find  difficult.  The  CoR
therefore has the potential to connect the EU
with millions of Europeans for whom the Union
is a distant and obscure bureaucracy, something
even to be suspicious of. The CoR is working to
fulfill that potential, but it needs the full support
of the other EU institutions, for it is our collective
duty to ensure that no-one is left out. Only when
the CoR becomes a fully fledged partner in the
EU institutional picture, will whole sections of
Europe’s  population  connect  with  the  Union.
Thus the flame of the European vision will burn
brightly

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The EU’s
Assembly of
Regional and
Local
Representatives

The Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the EU’s Assembly of regional and local representatives. It is a
political assembly of 344 members (and the same number of alternates) from all 27 EU Member States,
all of whom are holders of a regional or local electoral mandate. Members sit in four political groups
(European People’s Party, Party of European Socialists, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
and Union for Europe of Nations –European Alliance) reflecting their own national political allegiances.
The CoR provides institutional representation for all the European Union’s territorial areas, regions,
cities  and  municipalities.  Its  mission  is  to  involve  regional  and  local  authorities  in  the  European
decision-making process and thus to encourage greater participation from citizens. 

The CoR was established in 1994 to address two main issues. Firstly, about three quarters of EU
legislation  is  implemented  at  local  or  regional  level,  so  it  makes  sense  for  local  and  regional
representatives to have a say in the development of new EU laws. Secondly, in order to avoid the
public being left behind as the EU steams ahead, the CoR encourages the involvement of all elected
levels of government in the decision-making process, bringing Europe closer to its citizens.

The Treaties oblige the European Commission and Council of the EU to consult the CoR whenever
new proposals are made in areas that have repercussions at regional or local level. The Maastricht
Treaty set out five such areas - economic and social cohesion, trans-European infrastructure networks,
health,  education  and  culture.  The  Amsterdam  Treaty  added  another  five  areas  to  the  list  -
employment policy, social policy, the environment, vocational training and transport - which now
covers much of the scope of the EU’s activity. Under the future Lisbon Treaty, the CoR’s role should
be increased even further, with a key position as one of the defenders of the principle of subsidiarity.
This is one of the main EU principles which states that the EU should not take on tasks which are
better suited to be dealt at the national, regional or local level..

The  CoR  meets  in  full  plenary  five  times  a  year  to  debate  and  adopt  its  opinions,  drafted  by  a
rapporteur appointed by one of the six commissions. These commissions focus on core policy areas:
territorial cohesion, economic and social policy, sustainable development, culture, education and
research, constitutional affairs and external relations. The aim of CoR opinions is to influence the EU
lawmaking process at its earliest stages, proposing political lines of approach and action drawn from
the experience and expertise of the regional and local authorities, who are most often responsible
for implementing legislation. 

The CoR also works on behalf of all the regional and local authorities of Europe, fighting for their right
to secure appropriate financial resources to enable them to carry out their duties, promoting the
principles and mechanisms of good governance and encouraging the process of decentralisation. It
also encourages cooperation between regional and local authorities in the Member States, as well as
with those of candidate countries, potential candidate countries, neighbouring countries and third
countries. Above all, the CoR and its members are ambassadors of Europe in their respective regions,
cities and municipalities, speaking for them in the European debate but also helping to explain and
expound the implementation and territorial impact of Community policies at the local and regional
level.

For more information visit: www.cor.europa.eu

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Index of
policy areas

Cohesion policy & transport ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8

Economic and social policy ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Climate change, environment, energy,
public health agriculture and maritime affairs..............................................................................................................................................................................12

Culture, education and research.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16

European governance, fundamental rights,
immigration, asylum and subsidiarity monitoring.............................................................................................................................................................18

Enlargement, neighbourhood policy
and decentralised cooperation ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20

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Cohesion
policy
& transport

A. Territorial Cohesion and Cohesion Policy after 2013

For almost ten years, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) has supported calls for the insertion of the
concept of territorial cohesion into the Treaty, in order to make it one of the political goals of the
European Union1. This overarching objective is now part of the Lisbon Treaty, but it will not be reached
without a closer partnership with local and regional authorities (LRAs), as well as a reform of EU policy-
making  based  on  multi-level  governance  and,  most  importantly,  a  strong  cohesion  policy  that
coversevery region in all the Member States The release in April 2009 of the Barca report containing
a series of proposals on how to reform cohesion policy post 2013 has set the framework for the
challenges ahead.  

Future aspirations

The CoR continues to support an EU cohesion policy strongly focused on territorial cohesion and
based on the principles of solidarity and fairness. The CoR opposes any attempt to “renationalise”
cohesion policy. In the view of the CoR, territorial cohesion should not only be an integral part of all
community policies but also a goal in its own right.

B. Territorial Cooperation/EGTC

Territorial cooperation is the most concrete illustration of how cohesion policy can improve people’s
daily lives by crossing national borders and breaking down linguistic, administrative and cultural
barriers. In practical terms, territorial cooperation takes the form of, for example, infrastructure projects
designed to help open up remote areas, the pooling of public services, exchanging staff, mobilising
skills and encouraging worker mobility. The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)2 is
one of the most practical tools for achieving territorial cooperation, and is the most innovatory
component of cohesion policy. The EGTC is becoming increasingly well-known and its added value
both at policy level and on the ground is clearer than ever as the number of concrete projects planned
and put into practice by various regions continues to grow. 

Future aspirations

The CoR calls for a fully-fledged objective dedicated to territorial cooperation to be maintained within
the post-2013 cohesion policy. Moreover, the CoR will continue to closely monitor the steps taken at
the national level with regard to the implementation of the EGTC Regulation, and to push for closer
cooperation between regions. The CoR will also be involved in the evaluation and revision of the EGTC
Regulation 1082/2006 in 2011, and will draw on the findings of its high-level group of experts on the
EGTC before proposing possible improvements and modifications.

C. Transport

LRAs have a legitimate interest in the development of a European transport policy that focuses
on specific areas such as the urban or maritime environments, which is trans-European and which
is as environmentally friendly as possible. LRAs play an important role in the planning of vital
transport infrastructure, as well as in applying EU transport legislation at the local and regional
level and providing an adequate regulatory framework. While transport networks tend to be
viewed in terms of major national and international ‘corridors’, it is the work of local and regional
authorities, through whose territory these networks pass, that makes them possible. When it
comes to European transport infrastructure, the CoR has always stressed the importance of TEN-
Ts, as they are conducive to strengthening regions’ territorial cohesion and competitiveness by
facilitating the movement of goods and people. The CoR has contributed to the debate on the
future review of TEN-T policy and proposed that all TEN-T projects be analysed on the basis of
their impact on territorial cohesion3. The CoR will continue to take partin the discussions on the
follow-up to the Green Paper, a European Commission proposal for a better definition of ‘priority
networks’ and a possible legislative proposal in 2010.

The CoR also seeks improvements in urban mobility to support economic competitiveness, to reduce

1 See CoR opinion by Jean-Yves Le
Drian (FR/PES) on the Green
Paper on Territorial Cohesion,
April 2009, CdR 274/2008

2 See CoR opinion by Mercedes Bresso
(IT/PES) on territorial cooperation,
June 2008, CdR 308/2007

3 See CoR opinion by Jean-Michel
Daclin (FR/PES) on the Green
Paper on TEN-T, October 2009,
CdR 103/2009

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A concrete illustration of how cohesion policy can improve people’s daily lives

the reliance on fossil fuels, to ‘decarbonise‘ transport and to improve air quality, hence improving the
quality of life of EU citizens in urban areas. Together with the European Parliament, the CoR has
underlined the urgent need for the European Commission to come forward with an EU Action Plan
on Urban Mobility if it wants Europe to benefit from lower greenhouse gas emissions. The CoR has
also proposed closer cooperation between the EU and the European Investment Bank to develop
innovative financial instruments to fund sustainable urban mobility infrastructure4.

Contact:
Secretariat of the CoR COTER
Commission:
coter@cor.europa.eu

Future aspirations

The CoR will continue to work towards developing ever closer cooperation between the local and
regional level and the community level on all transport initiatives, whether legislative or not, that have
an impact on LRAs.  In particular, in order to achieve full efficiency and integration of the European
transport network, better coordination between major EU projects and smaller regional projects will
be vital.

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4 See CoR opinion by Sir Albert Bore
(PES/UK) on the Urban Mobility
Action Plan, April 2009, CdR
417/2008

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A. The Lisbon Strategy 

Economic
and
social policy

The CoR has been supported the Lisbon Strategy since its inception in 2000, but as the report of the CoR’s
own Lisbon Monitoring Platform clearly shows, the strategy has not been as successful as it could have
been due to the lack of genuine involvement of LRAs in the planning, implementation, monitoring and
evaluation5.

Respondents to the CoR consultation of European cities and regions on the future of the Lisbon Strategy
criticised among other things the excessive focus on competitiveness at the expense of the social and
environmental dimensions, the lack of credible priorities and objectives, the lack of incentives for national
governments to act and the lack of flexibility of the programme to adapt to different territorial situations
and compensate for the lack of resources at the EU level. 

Future aspirations

The CoR will  contribute to a new strategy focused on promoting economic growth in a sustainable and
environmentally-sound manner, ensuring the quality (and not only quantity) of jobs, taking into account
the need to reach territorial cohesion across the EU, including effective governance and the involvement
of crucial stakeholders to promote coordinated and integrated policymaking – possibly using multi-level
governance agreements. It is critical that the new strategy and its relevance be clearly communicated to
all EU citizens6.

B. Economic Recovery 

Balancing local and regional budgets and increasing employment will be the main challenges that LRAs
will have to face as a consequence of the current economic crisis7. Matching skills more effectively with
demand as well as anticipating skill needs will be the focal point of any effective employment policy.
Moreover the main driver of the recovery is likely to be ‘greening’ the economy, creating both new sets of
skills and new markets. The CoR will respond to the communication on New Skills for New Jobs8 from the
European Commission and propose solutions for LRAs to make the most of the new opportunities in the
years to come.

Future aspirations

The CoR will urge LRAs to improve information about the skills needed both now and in the future on their
local markets as well as to promote the exchange of vacancy information both among  regions and at the
European level. The use of European Social Fund and other relevant EU financing instruments will be
analysed and possible improvements will be communicated to the Commission according to the findings.
The  CoR  will  follow  up  the  use  of  the  amended  European  Globalisation  Fund9 and  may  propose
recommendations regarding the restructuring of industries10.

C. Promoting small businesses and the spirit of entrepreneurship

Some 23 million small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) account for 99% of all businesses in Europe.
In recent years they have created around 80% of all new jobs. These facts prove that SMEs are vital for the
growth of the European economy and the creation of jobs. Yet SMEs face a number of problems that
negatively affect their efficient functioning. Among the most pressing are: administrative burdens; access
to finance; access to public procurement; and a shortage of skilled, well trained staff. Those and a number
of other key challenges were addressed in the Small Business Act 11 – an initiative launched by the European
Commission’s DG Enterprise in 2008 and supported by the CoR.

Future aspirations

The CoR will continue to monitor the implementation of the Small Business Act at the regional and local
level and push for better regulation that will help SMEs to flourish. Possible recommendations may relate
to clustering12, access to R&D and innovation as well as LRAs facilitating cooperation between SMEs and
universities. 

D. Ageing Society

The ageing of the European population will not only affect the macro level (public finances and economic
growth), but will also result in a profound shift in the demographic structure of our towns, cities and regions,
thereby directly impacting their social policies and services13. LRAs play a key role in providing services
adapted to the needs of their older population, for instance through offering accessible public transport,
housing and infrastructure, facilitating access to employment and volunteering for older people (life-long

5 See CoR Outlook opinion on The
Lisbon growth and jobs
strategy, rapporteur: Flavio
Delbono (IT/ALDE), CdR
245/2008 fin

6 See CoR draft opinion The future of
the Lisbon strategy post 2010,
rapporteur: Christine Chapman
(UK/PES), CdR 25/2009, adoption
foreseen for 2-3 December 2009

7 See CoR opinion European economic
recovery plan and the role of local and
regional authorities, rapporteur:
Dietmar Brockes (DE/ALDE), CdR
12/2009 fin

8 See CoR draft opinion New skills for
new jobs - Anticipating and matching
labour market and skills needs,
rapporteur: Marianne Fügl (AT/PES),
CdR 85/2009,  adoption foreseen for 2-
3 December 2009

9 See CoR opinion Establishing the
European globalisation adjustment
fund, rapporteur: Uno Silberg (EE/UEN-
EA), CdR 84/2009 fin

10 See CoR discussion  paper
Coordinated and sustainable responses
to meet the challenges facing the
European automotive sector and to
strenghten its links to the regions,
rapporteur:  Jean-Yves Le Drian
(FR/PES), CdR  211/2009, adoption
foreseen beginning of 2010 on this
opinion on the automotive industry 

11 See CoR opinion Think small First –
a Small business act for Europe,
rapporteur:  Constance Hanniffy
(IE/EPP), CdR 246/2008 fin

12 See CoR opinion Clusters and
cluster policy, rapporteur:
Antonio González Terol
(ES/EPP), CdR 70/2008 fin

13 See CoR discussion document
Dealing with the impact of
an ageing population in the
EU (2009 Ageing report),
rapporteur: Rob Bats
(NL/ALDE), CdR 212/2009
adoption foreseen for the
beginning of 2010

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learning), ensuring quality health and long term care services, fighting against poverty and social exclusion
of the elderly and promoting active ageing and cross-generational initiatives.

Future aspirations

The CoR14 will continue to stress the urgent need to consider demographic trends at the level of regions,
cities and municipalities instead of focusing exclusively on the national level. It will also support the
European Commission’s efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of social spending in the fields
of pensions, health care and long-term care at national level, notably in the context of the post-2010 Lisbon
Strategy. And it will underline the opportunities to improve the quality of life of the elderly by means of
new products and services (targeting the so-called “silver economy”) in fields such as tourism, culture,
domestic help, mobility services or financial services.

E. Poverty and Social Exclusion
Some 78 million people live in poverty in the EU, of whom some 19 million are in employment15. In the
light of the current economic recession and of rising unemployment levels, European NGOs argue that
not enough is being done to fight poverty and social exclusion. This is of particular concern for LRAs, as
they have basic responsibility for framing, funding and carrying out policies designed to guarantee the
integration  of  people  who  are  socially,  economically  or  culturally  excluded.  The  four  pillars  of  a
comprehensive policy of active inclusion (income support, active inclusion policy, access to high quality
social services and social participation) are interlinked and reinforce each other16. Depending on the national
economic model, the relative importance of these four pillars and the policy instruments selected in each
pillar may however differ among Member States and LRAs. 

Future aspirations

The CoR will continue to encourage the European Commission to undertake social policy initiatives to
mitigate the effects of the economic recession. The European Year 2010 for combating poverty and social
exclusion17 should provide in this respect a unique momentum to launch new measures, but the CoR will
give  special attention to their lasting effect18.

Contact:
Secretariat of the CoR ECOS
Commission:
ecos@cor.europa.eu

14 Opinion on Dealing with the
impact of an Ageing
Population in the EU,CdR
212/2009

15 See CoR opinion Renewed social
agenda: Opportunities, access and
solidarity in 21st century Europ,
rapporteur: Veikko Kumpumäki
(FI/PES), CdR 337/2008 fin

16 Opinion on Active inclusion, (CdR
344/2007)

17 See CoR opinion The European year
for combating poverty and social
exclusion (2010), rapporteur: Linetta
Serri (IT/PSE) (2010), CdR 57/2008 fin

18 Opinion on The European year
2010 for combating poverty and social
exclusion CdR 57/2008

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Climate
change,
environment,
energy,
public health
agriculture
and maritime
affairs

19 See CoR opinion by Kay Twitchen
(UK/EPP) on How regions
contribute to achieving climate
change and energy goals with a
special focus on the Covenant of
Mayors, CdR 241/2008 fin

20 See Resolution of the Committee of
the Regions on Climate change:
the road to Copenhagen, CdR 176/
2009

21 See CoR opinion on Promotion of
renewable energy, rapporteur:
Paula Baker (UK/ALDE) CdR
160/ 2008 fin

22 See CoR opinion on The energy
performance of buildings and
the 2nd strategic energy
review, rapporteur Jean Louis
Joseph (FR/PES) CdR 8/2009
fin

23 See the CoR report on the
Contribution of Local and
Regional Authorities to
sustainable
development strategies
and the related CoR
outlook opinion by Nichi
Vendola (IT/PES), CdR
85/2007 fin

24 See e.g. CoR opinion the Thematic
Strategy on the prevention and
recycling of waste, and the
Proposal for a Directive of the
European Parliament and of the
Council on waste, by Laust Grove
Vejlstrup (DK/EPP), CdR 47/2006
fin

A. Climate Change

Given  that  mitigation  and  adaptation  to  climate  change  can  only  be  successful  when  all  levels  of
government become involved, local and regional responses to climate change should complement
international, European and national policies. The national and regional action plans must introduce
practical instruments so as to achieve the 2020 targets, and adequate financing must be made available.
In particular, appropriate resources should  be made available to the signatories of the Covenant of Mayors19
in order to help them to develop expertise and strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of local
authorities20.  The CoR has criticised the European Commission for its white paper on adaptation to climate
change, which forsees the involvement of LRAs only in phase one (2009-2012), which will prepare the
formulation of a comprehensive EU adaptation strategy. There is no role for LRAs in  in phase two , starting
in 2013, which forsees the implementation of the strategy. With the opinion that the CoR will issue at its
October 2009 plenary session on the white paper and the  its June 2009 resolution on climate change, the
CoR will continue to contribute to the negotiations for amending the UN Climate Change Convention at
the COP 15 in Copenhagen in December 2009.

Future aspirations

The CoR will continue to stress the urgency of local and regional action to prevent climate change.
The CoR also considers that the revision of the  EU budget, needs to take account of the changing
parameters that climate change will bring at the local and regional level.

B. Energy Efficiency

The CoR believes that LRAs must be involved in the formulation of national action plans on energy
efficiency  as  well  as  on  renewable  energy21 and  recommends  ensuring  maximum  coordination
between the principal European legislative acts in these areas. Massive investment in sectors such as
industry, transport and housing, as well as public and commercial buildings, will be needed if sufficient
energy savings are to be achieved. 

The CoR has strongly advocated for energy efficiency to be the keystone of the EU’s energy policy, and
has denounced the lack of binding legislation that would help Europe achieve the 20% energy efficiency
target. Together with the European Parliament, the CoR has called for future financial instruments to
support energy efficiency improvement in buildings and for them to be accessible to LRAs within the
implementation of the Directive of the Energy Performance of Buildings22.

Future aspirations

The  CoR  will  continue  to  push  for  more  consistent  support  from  the  EU  for  local  and  regional
authorities’ efforts in the field of energy efficiency and CO2 reduction. The shift from non-renewable
to renewable energy sources implies an increase in relatively small scale, local energy production,
involving local and regional authorities. 

C. Sustainable development and environment

The CoR believes in the need for substantial improvement by the EU and Member States of the way
in which they involve local and regional authorities in breathing life into their sustainable development
strategies23. It has highlighted the challenges faced by local and regional authorities as a result of
environmental legislation such as the EU’s nature directives, the water framework and revised waste
framework  directive24,  especially  with  regard  to  the  administrative  and  financial  aspects  of  this
legislation.

The CoR has noted the failure of policies to stem the erosion of biodiversity in Europe by 2010, which
will  require a proactive strategy that  must be reflected in a systemic approach and supported over
the long-term, well beyond 2010.

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Local energy production, involving local and regional authorities

Future aspirations

The CoR will pay particular attention to the further development of the EU sustainable development
strategy and the potential setting up of the 7th Environmental Action Programme. It will continue to
push for closer cooperation with local and regional authorities in the implementation, revision and
development of EU environmental legislation, including the future work on the EU directives related
to  impact  assessments,  environmental  noise  and  electronic  waste  or  eventual  new  bio-waste
legislation25.

Contact:
Secretariat of the CoR DEVE
Commission:
deve@cor.europa.eu

D. Agriculture and Rural Development

The discussions on the CAP post-2013 seem to have reached something of a stalemate. The question
of European support for rural development and its future is once again high on the agenda. The power
to legislate under the co-decision procedure in matters of agricultural policy, which the Parliament
stands to gain under the Lisbon Treaty, could lead to a shift in the balance of interests which currently
weighs in the favour of the Council as regards the CAP.

Future aspirations

The CoR will continue to participate in the debate on the future of the CAP after 2013 and will
underline the need to match its new structure with the needs of European territories, including the
allocation of sufficient resources for investing in new challenges for rural development26.

25 See CoR opinion on Green paper on
bio-waste by Mona-Lisa Norrman
(SE/PES), CdR 74/2009 fin

26 See CoR opinion on The Commission’s
legislative proposals for the post-
health check Common Agricultural
Policy by  Lenie Dwarshuis–van de
Beek (NL/ALDE), CdR 162/2008 fin

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Ships intended to ply highways of the sea should be included among infrastructure and subsidised as road and rail investments

E. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries 

The CoR wishes to continue along the trail blazed by the ‘Blue Book’ on maritime policy and expects
that maritime policy will hold an important place in the legislative priorities to be presented by the
future Commission to the newly elected European Parliament.

Until now, maritime policy has largely involved hard line, defensive rules for maritime safety and
fisheries. Like other regions in the world, the EU must progress beyond this, taking a more strategic
and comprehensive approach to the sea, an approach which covers sectors, regions and political and
economic players, as well as inventing a new style of governance. The EU must focus on the proper
management  of  the  interface  between  land  and  sea  and  on  promoting  sustainable  maritime
competitiveness. This cannot be achieved without the full involvement of local and regional authorities
particularly since coastal regions and towns account for over half of the EU’s population and some
40% of its GDP and possess a variety of skills in areas linked to maritime policy.

Future aspirations

As regards maritime planning, the CoR feels that although it has no explicit competences in
this area, the EU has many legally valid grounds for acting as a driver and coordinator, a role
which might lead to legislative proposals on the method and principles. As regards maritime
transport, the CoR argues that social and environmental issues should be better catered for.
At  the  December  2009  Copenhagen  summit  on  climate  change,  international  maritime
transport  should  be  integrated  into  the  post-Kyoto  international  schedule  for  reducing
greenhouse gases. As regards the highways of the sea, the CoR suggests that ships built or
purchased by a maritime operator and intended to ply these highways should, by means of a
waiver, be included among infrastructure, despite the fact that they are mobile. These ships

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could thus be subsidised as road and rail investments. As regards fisheries, the CoR stresses
the importance of ensuring that the future Common Fisheries Policy focuses on sustainable
fish stocks while at the same time taking into account the needs of the EU’s coastal regions
and  small-scale  fisheries.  In  this  context,  particular  attention  needs  to  be  devoted  to  the
ecology of maritime areas, in particular with relation to climate change.

F. Public Health

The reduction of health inequalities is a priority for the CoR27. Significant differences in health can be
observed both between and within EU countries and regions. These inequalities may be as a result of
occupation, income, education, age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or geography, and are expected to
deepen  further  for  certain  socioeconomic  groups  as  a  result  of  the  economic  crisis..  Measuring
differences  and  comparing  performances  and  results  has  proven  to  help  stimulate  political
commitment to reducing these inequalities, and it is therefore important to know whether and how
health inequalities are measured, to whom the information is reported and/or by whom it is used.

Future aspirations

The CoR will continue to push for closer cooperation with and among local and regional authorities
across Europe to reduce health inequalities. In particular, the CoR considers exchange of best practice,
cross-border health care and information as critical elements in the reduction of health inequalities.

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27 See CoR opinion on White paper-
together for health : a strategic
approach for the EU 2008-2013,
by  Karsten Uno Petersen
(DK/PES), CoR 24/2008 fin.

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A. Culture

Culture,
education
and research

While culture can contribute to the economic development of regions and municipalities, placing
too great an emphasis on the economic importance of culture can lead to its individual and societal
functions being overlooked. Equally important is the role of culture in creating a good and dynamic
living environment, a prerequisite for development28.

Future aspirations

The CoR considers these so-called “softer” functions of culture as a valuable elements in the LRAs’
efforts to create fertile ground for wider socio-economic development.  The CoR insists on the fact
that closer cooperation at the cultural level between LRAs can also contribute to territorial cohesion
and help bring European regions and societies closer together.

B. Lifelong Learning, Education and Training

Throughout the European Union, the local and regional levels have key responsibilities for education
and training policy. Depending on Member States’ constitutional and legal structures,, LRAs can have
full  or  partial  control  over  everything  from  pre-primary  education  to  adult  education29 .  These
responsibilities should be reflected in the way in which Member States cooperate at the European
level, and the Open Method of Coordination, for all its successes in the past, should be  replaced by a
more encompassing EU decision-making process that should also involve the CoR.

Future aspirations

The CoR believes that safeguarding the participation of local and regional authorities in their
cooperation  with  the  Member  States  is  critical.  In  the  CoR’s  view,  if  the  EU  is  to  ensure  that
education and training are improved in such a way that truly allows people to reach their full
potential, contributions from local and regional authorities can no longer be overlooked30.

C. Research and Technology

For the CoR, increasing efficiencies in the use of EU financing instruments to drive research and
innovation in regions and cities remains a key priority, as does building research and innovation
potential for sustainable competitive advantage.

Future aspirations

The  CoR  continues  to  support  a  more  structural  involvement  of  LRAs  in  the  preparation  and
implementation of the new research framework (FP8), and in the management of the current FP731.
Initiatives  aimed  at  further  deepening  the  ERA32 are  highly  important,  especially  regarding  the
coordination of European, regional and local research activities33.

D. Information Society and Trans-European Telecommunication Networks 

Information and communication technology (ICT) provides essential infrastructure and tools for
knowledge creation, sharing and diffusion. It boosts the innovation capacity of all sectors of the
economy and can also help address Europe’s societal challenges, including climate change. However,
investment in EU ICT is currently less than half the level seen in the US, and competition is also growing
from companies based in emerging economies.

28 See CoR opinion by Gerd Harms
(DE/PES) on A European Agenda for
Culture in a Globalised World, CdR
172/2007

29 See CoR opinion by Helma Kuhn-
Theis (DE/EPP) on Improving
competences for the 21st century: An
Agenda for European cooperation on
schools, CdR 255/2008

See CoR opinion by Kent Johansson
(SE/ALDE) on the European Quality
Assurance Framework for Vocational
Education and Training and the
European Credit System for Vorcational
Education and Training, CdR 173/2008

See CoR opinion by Mary Shields
(IE/UEN-EA) on the Action Plan on
Adult Learning – It is always a good
time to learn, CdR 3/2008

30 See CoR opinion by Ursula Männle
(DE/EPP) on the Green Paper
“Migration and mobility” CdR
253/2008

See Draft opinion by Jean-Vincent Placé
(FR/PES) on An updated strategic
framework for European cooperation in
Education and Training, CdR 96/2009
rev. 1

31 See CoR opinion by Lars Nordström
on the 7th framework programme
for research, technological
development and demonstration
activities (2007-2013) CdR
155/2005

See CoR opinion by Karl Döhler
(DE/EPP)on the mid term review of the
strategy on life sciences and
biotechnology CdR 174/2007

32 See CoR opinion by Michael
Schroeren (DE/EPP) on the
Green paper on the
European Research Area –
new perspectives CdR
83/2007

See CoR opinion by Iñaki Aguirre
Arizmendi (ES/ALDE) on the legal
framework for a European Research
Infrastructure   and  towards joint
programming in research CdR 283/2008

33 See CoR opinion by Jyrki Myllyvirta
(FI/EPP) on more efficienc support
for research and innovation in EU
regions CdR 263/2007

See CoR opinion by Keith Walters
(UK/EPP) on the European Institute of
Technology CdR 273/2006

See CoR opinion by Jyrki Myllyvirta
(FI/EPP) on a strategic Eurpean
framework for international science and
technology cooperation CdR 11/2009

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Providing essential infrastructure and tools for knowledge creation, sharing and diffusion

Future aspirations

The CoR considers it necessary to sustain and reinforce the role of LRAs as key players in developing
research and innovation strategies. To achieve this goal and increase competitiveness of the EU’s ICT
sector, closer cooperation will be needed between the local, regional and community levels34. Among
other things, the work of the European Commission and the CoR which started with the elaboration
of a practical guide on how LRAs can exploit ICTs in their climate change plans should be continued35.

Contact:
Secretariat of the CoR EDUC
Commission:
educ@cor.europa.eu

34 CoR draft opinion by Liudvikas
Žukauskas (LT/EPP)  on
Communications  ICT
Infrastructures for  e-science,
A Strategy for ICT R&D and
Innovation in Europe: Raising
the Game and  Moving ICT
frontiers – a strategy for
research on future and
emerging technologies in
Europe  CdR 156/2009

25 CoR opinion by Risto Koivisto
(FI/PES) on the
Communication on
Addressing the challenge of
energy efficiency through
Information and
Communication
Technologies CdR 254/2008

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European
governance,
fundamental
rights,
immigration,
asylum and
subsidiarity
monitoring

36 White Paper by Luc Van den
Brande (BE/EPP) and
Michel Delebarre (FR/PES)
CdR 89/2009fin

37 See CoR opinion on Citizens’ rights:
Promotion of fundamental rights
and rights derived from European
citizenship, by Sonia Masini
(IT/PES) CdR 78/2008 fin

38 See CoR  opinion on The Future
Common European Asylum
System, by Savino Antonio
Santarella (IT/UEN-EA) CdR
177/2007 fin and the CoR
opinion by Doreen Huddart
(UK/ALDE)on The Future
Common European Asylum
System II, CdR 90/2009 rev

A. Multilevel governance 

Within the European Union, nearly 95,000 LRAs currently have significant powers in key sectors such
as education, the environment, economic development, town and country planning, transport, public
services and social policies. Furthermore, the Special Eurobarometer 307 Report published in February
2009 and focusing on public perception of local and regional authorities across the EU shows that
some 59% of European citizens believe that LRAs are not sufficiently involved in the European process.

Future aspirations

As it set out in its White Paper on Multi Level Governance36, the CoR will continue to push for greater
multilevel governance, coordinated action by the European Union, Member States and local and
regional authorities that is based on partnership and aimed at drawing up and implementing EU
policies. Given the acknowledgment of the usefulness of this approach by other EU institutions, the
CoR will continue to promote the implementation of multilevel governance in the EU and to secure
greater involvement of LRAs in the EU decision-making process.

B. Better Regulation

In 2008, the CoR was granted observer status on the High Level Group of Independent Stakeholders on
the Reduction of Administrative Burdens, which is currently focusing on ways to cut red tape and make
EU businesses more competitive. The CoR strongly believes that the administrative burdens on public
authorities (especially local and regional administrations, who are called to implement almost 70% of
EU legislation), should constitute the next objective. The CoR also considers that a more effective use of
impact assessments would improve lawmaking. Such assessments allow the institutions to explore and
evaluate the possible consequences of proposed policies, thus contributing to clearer, more effective
and equitable legislation. The European Commission and the CoR have agreed to cooperate on the
assessment of the impact certain proposals on local and regional authorities.

Future aspirations

The CoR considers it fundamental that any reduction of administrative burdens addresses both the private
and the public sector. As a result, the CoR will insist that administrative burdens imposed upon public
authorities are also part of the Action Plan and the mandate of the High Level Group. In addition, the CoR
will look to build on its agreement with the European Commission to ensure that impact assessments at
the local and regional level also become standard practice in its cooperation with other EU institutions. 

C. Monitoring the application of the subsidiarity principle

The  Treaty  of  Lisbon  reinforces  the  subsidiarity  principle  by  highlighting  its  local  and  regional
dimension and by entrusting a specific role as regards subsidiarity monitoring to the CoR and national
parliaments. The CoR’s Subsidiarity Monitoring Network already provides local and regional authorities
with an opportunity to assess proposals with regard to the subsidiarity principle. Furthermore, CoR
opinions increasingly address subsidiarity (and proportionality) issues in relation to a wide number of
other policy areas. Through its assessment on subsidiarity, the CoR assists the European Commission
in assessing the ‘territorial impact‘ of certain proposals.

Future aspirations

The entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon will also grant the CoR the right to bring proceedings before
the Court of Justice against legislative acts on grounds of infringement of the subsidiarity principle. 

D. Fundamental Rights 

The promotion and protection of fundamental rights are cornerstones of the EU, and need to be
ensured at all levels of government. LRAs are widely recognised as  key actors in this field, as the
promotion and protection of many fundamental rights has to take place at the level closest to the
citizens. Therefore, their expertise needs to feed into the national and EU decision-making processes37.

Future aspirations

The CoR considers that it is vital that local and regional authorities effectively participate in all stages
of policy-making in this wide area, from elaboration to implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
The CoR also believes that good inter-institutional cooperation is necessary in order to achieve a
consistent, effective legal and policy framework in this crucial field.

E. Asylum & visa Policy

LRAs will continue to be at the forefront of implementing European legislation on essential elements
of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS)38.

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The CoR will continue to promote the implementation of multilevel governance in the EU

Future aspirations

The CoR considers better and more effective inclusion of the local and regional dimension necessary
both for the effective implementation of CEAS and for compliance with the principle of subsidiarity.
The CoR will also push for a strengthened direct access for LRAs to the European Refugee Fund and
an increased role for LRAs and the CoR in the European Asylum Support Office.

F. Migration and integration

Regional and local authorities play a vital part in elaborating, implementing, evaluating and monitoring
migration and integration policies as they usually hold either shared or exclusive competences in the
field39. Therefore, the CoR holds the view that their consultation by the Member States and the
European Commission should be compulsory, and that the involvement of the sub-national level
should be included already at the pre-legislative phase.  
Future aspirations

Given the crucial role of local and regional authorities in the implementation of integration policies,
the  CoR  believes  efforts  should  be  made  to  achieve  greater  involvement  of  local  and  regional
authorities. The CoR will also continue to call for the development of a coherent European integration
and immigration policy 40.

G. Communication and active citizenship

It  is  essential  to  strengthen  communication  with  the  European  public  about  the  aims  and
achievements  of  the  EU.  Nationally,  regionally  and  locally  elected  representatives  should  be
encouraged to communicate more effectively about the role of Europe in what they do. The EU
institutions need to work more effectively with national governments, national parliaments and local
authorities in order to provide the public with a better knowledge of Europe and to convey clear and
objective messages on the measures taken at EU level41.
Future aspirations

In view of the results of the 2009 European elections and the decreasing turnout since 1979, the CoR
deems it critical that a strategy is developed which better informs citizens about the EU, raises awareness
and helps to create a feeling of ownership of the European project. In this context, decentralised
communication through channels of regions and cities in the EU could play a critical role.

Contact:
Secretariat of the CoR CONST
Commission:
const@cor.europa.eu

39 See CoR own-initiative opinion on
Local and regional authorities at
the forefront of integration
policies, by Dimitrios
Kalogeropoulos (EL/EPP) CdR
212/2009 fin 

40 See CoR opinion on The Stockholm
Programme: challenges and
opportunities in view of a new
multi-annual programme on the
EU area of freedom, secuirty and
justice by Anna Terron i CusiCdR
201/2009 rev

41 See CoR opinion on Communicating
Europe in partnership by Claude Du
Granrut (FR/EPP) CdR 295/2007
final

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Enlargement,
neighbourhood
policy and
decentralised
cooperation

A. Decentralised cooperation

The  Council  and  the  European  Commission  have  recognised  that  LRAs  allocate  substantial
resources to development cooperation and play a leading role in fostering democratic governance
at the local and regional level with  developing countries.  They have proposed and supported,
among other initiatives, the establishment of a dialogue on development policy with LRAs, under
the aegis of the CoR, (the Assizes of Decentralised Cooperation), and an atlas of decentralised
cooperation, mapping the projects and aid contributions of local and regional authorities in the
EU  and  their  counterparts  in  developing  countries,  as  well  as  a ‘stock  exchange’  for  sharing
information between EU and partner country LRAs. The ultimate aim of these tools is to reinforce
aid effectiveness and coordination of all actors in this policy area.

Future aspirations

The CoR stresses that dialogue between the European Commission and LRAs should be enhanced
beyond the organisation of the Assizes on a yearly basis. In particular, the CoR wants to ensure that
the views and needs of LRAs are taken into account during the inter-institutional dialogue when
defining and discussing development cooperation strategies with partner countries42.

B. Relations with the EU’s neighbours: Eastern Partnership, Euro-Mediterranean

Partnership, Northern Dimension 

Relations with both Southern and Eastern EU neighbours have strengthened in recent years with the
launch of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Eastern Partnership. In both initiatives, local
and regional authorities play a vital role: within the UfM, the CoR has proposed creating a Euro-
Mediterranean  Regional  and  Local  Assembly  (ARLEM)43,  which  would  give  the  UfM  a  territorial
dimension. As far as the Eastern Partnership is concerned, this territorial perspective is reflected in the
active participation of the CoR in the Eastern Partnership platforms and initiatives, as well as its
collaboration with local and regional stakeholders in developing further this activity44. In addition, the
CoR is hoping to strengthen sub-national cooperation within the Northern Dimension Policy as well
as in the new Baltic Sea45 and Danube46 Strategies and EU-Russia relations.

Future aspirations

The  support  and  development  of  ARLEM  will  be  a  milestone  in  the  involvement  of  LRAs  in  EU
neighbourhood policy. The CoR will be active in the further development of the Eastern Partnership,
engaging in the Comprehensive Institution Building Programme and fostering the use of decentralised
cooperation as an effective tool for cooperation between the EU and partner countries.

C. Enlargement

In recent years, the CoR has issued several opinions related to EU enlargement in which it expressed
support  for  enlargement  as  a  driver  of  peace  and  stability  in  Europe47. The  CoR  has  constantly
underlined in its opinions that LRAs in candidate and potential candidate countries often remain
excluded and do not fully benefit from enlargement, which inevitably impacts on citizens. The CoR
has also highlighted the importance of decentralisation in candidate and potential candidate countries
and the need for cooperation between the central state and local and regional authorities in the
decision-making process relating to the implementation of the EU acquis. This aspect is further
underlined in the debates within the CoR’s working groups with Turkey, Croatia and the Western
Balkans  countries  and  the  joint  consultative  committee  with  the  Former  Yugoslav  Republic  of
Macedonia. 

Future aspirations

The CoR would like the European Commission’s enlargement reports to include more information on
reforms with an impact at local and regional level. At the same time, the CoR is calling for a genuine

42 See CoR opinion by Christophe
Rouillon (FR/PES) on Local
authorities: actors for
development (CdR 312/2008
fin)

43 See CoR opinion by Isidoro Gottardo
(IT/EPP) on the Barcelona process:
Union for the Mediterranean:
implications for regional and local
authorities (CdR 236/2008 fin)

44 See CoR opinion by Istvan Sertö-
Radics (HU/ALDE) on The role of
local and regional authorities
within the Eastern Partnership
(CdR 78/2009 fin)  

45 See CoR opinion by Uno Aldegren
(SE/PES) on the role of local and
regional authorities within the
new Baltic Sea Strategy (CdR
381/2008 fin)

46 CoR draft opinion by Wolfgang
Reinhart (DE/EPP) on An EU
strategy for the Danube area
(CdR 149/2009 rev. 1)

47 See CoR opinion by Jasmina Vidmar
(SI/ALDE) on the enlargement
strategy and main challenges
2008-2009: candidate countries
(CdR 382/2008 fin) and by Gordon
Keymer (UK/EPP) on (CdR
383/2008 fin) on the enlargement
strategy and main challenges
2008-2009: potential countries  

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inclusion of LRAs in the enlargement process. Decentralisation in accordance with European standards
and the progress made by local authorities from the acceding countries deserves more attention in
these country reports. The CoR would like assure its added value to the European Commission by
taking  part  in  the  annual  IPA  funds  monitoring  exercise  and  in  particular  could    work  towards
increasing the effective use of funding of the new IPA by further supporting capacity building at local
level in partner countries, and by stepping up support for associations of local municipalities and
regions. 

Contact:
Secretariat of the CoR RELEX
Commission:
relex@cor.europa.eu

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EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat, 101 _ 1040 Bruxelles / Brussel _ BELGIQUE/BELGIË
Tel. +32 2/282 25 29 _ Fax +32 2/282 23 30
http: //www.cor.europa.eu/