European regions presented their views on the preparation of the Commission’s work programme 2014
Bruxelles, Bruxelles-Capitale (B), 7 June 2013
Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) met yesterday the European Commission’s President José Manuel Barroso, together with the President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the Presidents of the 6 other major European associations of local and regional authorities, to exchange views on the preparation of the Commission’s work programme 2014 and other priorities on the agenda. The meeting took place in the framework of the “structural dialogue” between the European Commission, the CoR and Local and Regional Associations, which seeks to strengthen relations between the EU and representatives of local and regional authorities.
Dr Özsan Bozatli expressed AER concerns about the younger generation: “We live in challenging and rapidly changing times. We are nowadays confronted with two major challenges: to ensure a sustainable future and to provide our Youth with employment. We, as regions from all over Europe, need to ensure that our policies help the young generation to find good and satisfying jobs and take into account the environment, for the welfare of next generations. Regions have the tools to reach these goals, through mobility schemes such as the AER Eurodyssey programme, which is fostering the exchange of trainees throughout Europe, or thanks to relevant structures which foster youth entrepreneurship education throughout Europe.”
About Eastern Partnership, Dr Özsan Bozatli asked for the full recognition of the role regional governments play in implementing the goals of the Eastern Partnership road maps and action plans, as it is the regional level which is crucial when it comes to the socio-economic development of the territories. Since the early 1990s’, AER has established cooperation with regions of Eastern Partnership countries.
AER President also announced that the 4th AER Black Sea Summit will be held in Rize,(TR), on the 4th October 2013. This Summit will follow the path undertaken in Paris in 2010, in occasion of the first AER Black Sea Summit, and continued with two further Summits in Adjara, Georgia in 2011 and in Odessa, Ukraine in 2012.
The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.
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