AER experiences everyday the need for solidarity, mutual understanding and joint action among its elected members across Europe. We therefore regret but respect the outcome of the U.K. referendum. We urge the EU institutions to act upon the strong message sent by the people of the United Kingdom and to take the necessary measures to adapt and improve its core mechanisms. The EU must find ways to better communicate the added value and concrete benefits of its existence. Despite often cumbersome administrative procedures, Regions are great beneficiaries of EU policies through cohesion policy and structural funds. AER and regions in general are willing to do their part in better communicating the benefits of EU policies to its citizens. Closer to the citizens, regions must be given a stronger role and hurdles must be reduced for them to implement solidarity and efficiency in a Europe questioned by many citizens.

More than ever today, AER stands proudly to promote its values of peaceful cooperation, openness and diversity. Working with regions from EU and non-EU countries, we will continue our action to build a strong Europe with our regions.