"At no time has that solidarity been more important than it is now. The economic downturn and climate change – this year’s two greatest challenges – have shown just how crucial the regions are in tackling European and global challenges. It is the regions that support the EU’s 22 million SMEs, driving innovation and providing two-thirds of all jobs in the EU. And it is the … [Read more...]
This section of the AER Library contains our annual activity reports.
2008 Activity Report
"Without a doubt, 2008 has been a big year for AER. Our membership increased this year to 270 regions and 16 interregional associations, consolidating our place as the largest and most important network of regions in Europe, and perhaps the world", Michèle Sabban, AER President. (Use Pop out button to Download/Open) … [Read more...]
2007 Activity Report
In his report, AER President, Riccardo Illy, highlighted the AER’s work on the Constitutional Treaty and the Treaty of Lisbon, and mentioned the future enlargement of the EU, in particular calling for Croatia’s membership in 2009. He stated that all the countries of South Eastern Europe needed to be quickly integrated into the European Union. (Use Pop out button to … [Read more...]
2006 Activity Report
"The AER has been very successful in tightening its contacts with the European Commission. We welcomed officials from the Commission at our meetings and also had an opportunity to meet them frequently. The legitimacy crisis that Europe has been facing underlines how important the role of the regions is. Directly in contact with the need of their citizens, the regions are actors … [Read more...]
2005 Activity Report
"We stress the need for increasing the role of the regions in European Union policy making. We believe that while the EU cannot, and should not, interfere with the decisions of Member States, there should be at least a recommendation to the Member States to accomplish the principle of subsidiarity, giving more powers to regions, including legislative powers where these do not … [Read more...]
2004 Activity Report
"2004 was the year of EU enlargement, but it was also a year in which the AER and its members were involved in discussions about the European Constitution. And the successes we achieved in this field were by no means to be taken for granted. Thanks to the AER’s forceful formulation of its political demands and its clear-cut position on a number of key issues, we were able to … [Read more...]
2003 Activity Report
"As far as the regions are concerned, the AER, created with great prescience under its first president, Edgar FAURE, must act as an instrument, a source of strength and a forum for debate, proposals and action in this vast movement. The regions of Europe vary considerably as regards their status, but their role as a link between Europe and its citizens is becoming clearer with … [Read more...]
2002 Activity Report
"We must work together to build the European House and achieve our main aim: implementation of our Declaration on Regionalism - passed six years ago but now more relevant than ever before - and application of the principle of subsidiarity. It is we, the regions of Europe, who can provide a guarantee to our citizens that any future problems can be overcome", Liese Prokop, AER … [Read more...]
2001 Activity Report
"EU enlargement gives a whole new dimension to the many cooperation attempts having taken place and therefore represents a major challenge. Thanks to this process, border Regions will go from the periphery of the old Europe to the centre of the new Europe. This integration process brings new possibilities for development for border Regions, but also dangers and threats. For … [Read more...]
2000 Activity Report
"We are once again the political forum par excellence for democratic debate on regionalism. Here we can directly and freely exchange views on our political experiences. In addition, we are the biggest and richest network of Regions. That is our second raison d’être: in everything that we do, we are a precious network of contacts, exchanges and sharing of experience through our … [Read more...]
1999 Activity Report
"A greater participation of the 'strong regions' in the political fields of culture and education, as highly sensitive areas and of major interest on the regional level, would strengthen the political performance of the Regions on the European stage. The organisation of the work, which encompasses a wide range of political fields, is based on the concept of a deep involvement … [Read more...]
1998 Activity Report
"The more European integration is reinforced, the more the Regions and regionalism in Europe will have an essential role to play. European integration and regionalism are two sides of the same coin: European integration unites the States, structures and economies; regionalism and interregional cooperation unite communities, cultures and people", Luc Van Den Brande, AER … [Read more...]