Burgemeesters en regionale politici uit de EU lanceren dialoog met landen uit het Oostelijk Partnerschap (en)
The Conference of regional and local authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP) was inaugurated in the Polish city of Poznan today. The new platform was set up by the EU Committee of the Regions and brings together 36 mayors and regional politicians from the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. It aims to promote cross-border cooperation and give regional and local authorities a voice in the EU's Eastern Partnership.
Political developments in Europe's Eastern neighbourhood have an impact on the EU's prosperity and stability. This is why the European Union launched the "'Eastern Partnership" in December 2008. Proposed measures to deepen the EU's relationship with the six neighbouring countries range from the negotiation of comprehensive free trade agreements to gradual visa liberalisation.
To support these plans, the EU Committee of the Regions set up the Conference of regional and local authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP). Speaking at today's opening session, Štefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood, welcomed the initiative: "I am confident that the new platform will become a thriving centre of cooperation between regional and local authorities from the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries."
Committee of the Regions President Mercedes Bresso emphasised the local and regional dimension of the Eastern Partnership: "Strengthening the relationship with our Eastern neighbours is not just a matter for national governments and EU institutions. If we want to support democratisation and the respect for European values, we have to work together with all levels of government, including local and regional authorities, as well as civil society."
In a declaration adopted today, CORLEAP members demanded that regional and local authorities be given more say in the Eastern Partnership and urged more funding for projects strengthening local democracy, human rights at local and regional level and citizens' participation. They also requested that the new bilateral agreements to be negotiated between the EU and the Eastern partner countries must contain specific sections on strengthening local and regional self-government. Committee President Bresso will present these requests to heads of state and government at the Eastern Partnership summit, which will take place in Warsaw on 29-30 September.
Marek Wozniak, Marshal of the Wielkopolska Region which hosted the inaugural conference, emphasised the benefits of cross-border cooperation for citizens: ""The city of Poznan is one of the symbols of Poland’s struggle for European values, and has recently become known for its openness to international dialogue. In Wielkopolska, we have enthusiastically supported and implemented concepts of tightening cooperation and dialogue with local governments of Eastern European and South Caucasian countries, and we can already present a portfolio of joint projects, which were conducted mainly with Georgia and Ukraine."
CORLEAP will continue as a yearly event. By holding regular thematic meetings and facilitating the exchange of project proposals, best practices and know-how, CORLEAP intends to become the hub for direct cooperation between regions and cities from the EU and the Eastern partner countries.
Further information:
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-CORLEAP - Frequently asked questions (background, composition and next steps)
The CoR on the internet: www.cor.europa.eu
The Committee of the Regions
The Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. The mission of its 344 members from all 27 EU Member States is to involve regional and local authorities and the communities they represent in the EU's decision-making process and to inform them about EU policies. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council are obliged to consult the Committee in policy areas affecting regions and cities. It can appeal to the EU Court of Justice if its rights are infringed or it believes that an EU law violates the subsidiarity principle of fails to respect regional or local powers.