Committee of the Regions: 'enlargement process needs to involve local and regional levels'

Met dank overgenomen van Comité van de Regio's (CvdR) i, gepubliceerd op donderdag 16 juni 2016.

Sharper focus on local governments could improve the region's rule of law and help develop its economy, EU's cities and regions argue.

​Today political leaders from the European Union's regions and cities recognised the progress achieved in the enlargement process over the past year, but said that more steps need to be taken to involve local and regional levels of government in the seven countries seeking membership of the EU.

In particular, Members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) called for more work to be done on improving the administrative capacity of local and regional governments in these countries. In its opinion on the EU's enlargement process, the CoR also says that the EU's work with the western Balkans states and Turkey needs to show more clearly the benefits of closer relations with the EU.

The call for a "better and more detailed focus" on the quality of local and regional administrations is part of an opinion, drafted by Anna Magyar (HU/EPP), in which the EU's assembly of local and regional representatives backs core elements of the EU's approach to countries in the western Balkans and to Turkey - including the EU's emphasis on the need for reforms to strengthen the rule of law and its initiatives to stimulate the region's economy.

"Around 70% of the EU's laws need to be implemented by local and regional administrators, so we need to be sure that they are capable of delivering on their commitments," said Ms Magyar, who is Vice-President of Csongrád Megye County on Hungary's border with Serbia. "At the same time, we need to know that the EU also needs to prove itself: it must demonstrate very clearly that the EU can boost economic growth, and we want all parts of society to realise that membership of the EU would improve their lives."

Ms Magyar continued: "The enlargement process needs to be an inclusive exercise and, by the time that these countries are in a position to join the EU, their local governments need to have a track record of being effective. Good local governments have a key role in developing regional and cross-border economies, managing EU funds and implementing EU legislation."

The CoR's opinion supports the EU's efforts to improve transport, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure in the western Balkans, and also initiatives to strengthen the coordination of economic policies in the region. At the same time, it argues for a "strong focus" by the EU on helping "vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and minorities", saying that there needs to be evidence of "proper, credible implementation" of commitments to the EU.

Ms Magyar also welcomed the CoR's recognition of the need for measures to prevent the radicalisation of young people, saying: "We cannot afford a lost generation. I’m glad the CoR recognised the need to protect and respect of the identity and the cultural and religious heritage of their communities, by fostering core European values rooted in its Christian culture."

The opinion secured the backing of a majority of the CoR's members.