Co-chair of the Conference on the Future of Europe (COFOE) Guy Verhofstadt met with the Renew Europe Group in the European Committee of the Regions (Renew Europe CoR) upon the invitation of President François Decoster ahead of the launch of the Conference on 9 May.

Highlighting the opportunity COFOE gives for citizens to discuss the future of Europe and establish a vision for the EU for the 21st century, Verhofstadt talked of the importance of larger involvement of subnational governments through the European Committee of the Regions, which will have a sizeable delegation in the plenary session of the conference, and argued that in a multipolar world, Europe needs to be able to see eye-to-eye with global powers. He also reminded that it is necessary to define what kind of Europe we want.

“We’re not just in a listening mode. We need to respond in the presence of European citizens to their requests to come to a clear conclusion: a list of reforms that shape the future of the EU,” Verhofstadt said.

A rich discussion ensued with Renew Europe CoR members:

Ulrika Landergren, Vice-President of the Renew Europe group in the CoR, said:

“In my municipality of Kungsbacka, on the west coast of Sweden, we involve young people in the decision making. So we need to listen and change things accordingly at European level. The EU and national levels are seen as too remote, so we need to connect them with the grassroots level.”

Michiel Rijsberman, Vice-President of Renew Europe CoR and regional minister in Flevoland, Netherlands:

“It’s sad to see that some member states have already ruled out a treaty change. Most laws are already being implemented by local and regional authorities. If the EU works closely with these authorities, then it can become closer to its citizens. National governments need to allow and facilitate this relationship.”

Marian Elorza, Secretary-General for External Action, Basque Government:

“What is the role of regions in the construction of Europe? We need to discuss this especially when there is a re-centralisation of competences taking place while at the same time we are told that we are on the frontline of some battles, for example the pandemic. We should reopen the question of the competences of Regions with legislative powers in the EU, which was left unanswered in the Convention of 2000.”

Dietmar Brockes, Member of the Regional Assembly of North Rhine-Westphalia State:

“The European Committee of the Regions should become a second chamber. Also, we need a European focus for mobility and transport needs, while reducing obstacles to entrepreneurship and trade.”

Jean-Luc Vanraes, Group Coordinator in the CoR’s CIVEX Commission and member of Uccle municipal council:

“There’s a problem of transparency, accountability and subsidiarity: we need to clarify who is responsible for what and clarify what competences can be transferred between levels of government. It’s about proper subsidiarity.”

Androulla Vassiliou, representing Renew Europe on the CoR’s High Level Group on Democracy, added:

“I’m pleased that the CoR will be well represented, which was lacking in the first plans. Our high-level group will focus on democracy at various levels: in general, at subnational or at EU level and we will also focus on a Europe that protects and empowers, as the existence of the EU depends on its ability to deliver”.

The Conference on the Future of Europe will be launched on Europe Day, 9 May, in Strasbourg, France, and the CoR will hold a first local dialogue in Strasbourg just after the launch, with the presence and participation of President Decoster.

Follow Renew Europe CoR on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more updates.

Photo (c): European Union 2021 - Source: EP / Eric Vidal