Göteborg, Västra Götaland (S), 18 September 2009 As European ministers from the Baltic Sea countries convene in Stockholm, Sweden, to adopt a declaration to undertake the measures contained in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, the Assembly of European Regions’ (AER) political bureau met in nearby Göteborg to discuss the implications for the regions of emerging … [Read more...]
We are a voice
AER represents its member regions, and stands for stronger cohesion between regions.
During the last Bureau Meeting, AER confirmed its will to help make Europe strong. We will be continuing to advocate for a stronger Europe, through stronger regions.
We are a voice for our members.
AER sets out what regions expect from the new Commission
Göteborg (S), 17 September 2009 In the wake of José Manuel Barroso’s re-election as European Commission president, the political bureau of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) met yesterday and today in Göteborg, Sweden, to discuss what Europe’s leading organisation of regional authorities expects from the new Commission. The bureau session was hosted by the … [Read more...]
Annual Eurodyssey Forum: AER Regions Promoting Youth Employment in the Face of Recession
Amiens, Picardie (F), 10 September 2009 Over two days, 120 representatives from regional, national and European institutions as well as the private sector gathered in Amiens, Picardie (F), for the Assembly of European Regions’ (AER) Eurodyssey Forum 2009. Michèle Sabban, AER president and vice president of the Ile-de-France region (F), attended the event in which participants … [Read more...]
Reference Framework on Regional Democracy
The Draft European Charter of Regional Democracy not having been accepted by the Congress in the form of a convention, the so-called Reference Framework on Regional Democracy was elaborated instead. This Reference Framework was adopted by the European Ministers responsible for Local and Regional Government in November 2009 in Utrecht (Netherlands). The Reference Framework has … [Read more...]
Regional airports call for “more support, less burden” in EU state aid guidelines
Brussels (B), 8 September 2009 “Future revisions to EU guidelines on state aid for regional airports must not block economic development,” Assembly of European Regions’ (AER) secretary general Klaus Klipp said today at an AER conference hosted by the Valencia (E) representation office in Brussels. “A region’s economic competitiveness improves with its greater … [Read more...]
Hübner in “Deep Water” at AER Summer School in Valencia
Valencia (E), 28th August 2009 In her first speech as chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Committee for Regional Development, Danuta Hübner has said that water will be a “major priority” of the EU’s Regional Policy. “There are regions that will require specific responses, which will be more affected than others by droughts, floods or water scarcity,” Ms Hübner said … [Read more...]
AER and Valencia region highlight role of regional cooperation in fighting the effects of climate change
Valencia hosts 14th AER Summer School Valencia (E), 26 August 2009 AER secretary-general Klaus Klipp underlined in his speech at the 14th AER Summer School opening in Valencia the paramount importance that cooperation between regions in EU programmes and projects plays in tackling climate change. Mr. Klipp emphasised the need to create regional lobbies to stand up for … [Read more...]
AER President Michèle Sabban calls for member regions to make their voices heard in Copenhagen
Strasbourg, 22 July 2009 Mrs Sabban, President of the AER, calls for member regions to make their voices heard in the coming important meeting in Copenhagen, where large world governance guidelines upon environmental matters will be decided. These guidelines, which will be composed in a treaty, will have decisive consequences for our societies, so it is crucial that … [Read more...]
European Regions: a “Trump” in Tackling the Economic Crisis
Fribourg (CH), 15 May 2009 Regional presidents from across wider Europe once again called on national governments to ensure that regions have the competences and budgets they need to effectively tackle the economic crisis. They also demanded greater involvement in developing and implementing EU policies such as the Agenda for Growth and Jobs and the future cohesion … [Read more...]
AER hosts panel discussion of European political groups and regional politicians
Regions’ cross-examination of EP leaders “long overdue” Strasbourg (F), 5 May 2009. The European Parliament’s political groups last night faced a “cross-examination” hosted by the Assembly of European Regions (AER), Europe’s largest organisation of regional authorities. Moderated by EU Observer’s Lisbeth Kirk, the panel discussion and audience Q&A brought together … [Read more...]
Quebec: AER signs a joint Declaration with the LOJIQ in favour of youth mobility
An ambitious plan in favour of mobility and youth employment, regions are mobilising Québec (CDN), 5 May 2009 Michèle Sabban signs a joint Declaration with Alfred Pilon, chief executive officer and Secretary General of the Youth international Offices of Québec (LOJIQ), in favour of youth mobility (see below). In the context of the major economic and social crisis, … [Read more...]
On the radio programme “Europe&U” AER’s Regional Reporters make their voices heard across Europe
Strasbourg (F), 4 May 2009 The Assembly of European Regions (AER), in partnership with the radio programme “Europe and you”, will from next week broadcast a series of reports featuring AER‘s “Regional Reporters”. Ten young reporters from the European regions have already prepared short reports about themselves, their regions and Europe. Starting Friday, 8 May, two … [Read more...]
AER-UNDP conference: European regions and African territories strengthen co-operation on climate change
Limoges, Limousin (F), 31 March 2009. Decentralising and strengthening co-operation between the European regions and African territories can play a vital role in tackling climate change, a conference organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) heard today. Hosted in Limoges by the AER member region Limousin (F), … [Read more...]
Building trust in the European institutions starts with the regions
Brussels (B), 19 March 2009. A recent Eurobarometer survey suggesting that regional and local authorities are the most trustworthy levels of governance provided a timely framework to an Assembly of European Regions’ (AER) atelier that concluded today at the Baden-Württemberg representation office in Brussels. How can the European institutions inspire trust among citizens? … [Read more...]
International Women’s Day: AER to fight violence against women more than ever
Strasbourg (F), 16 march 2009 Against the backdrop of International Women's Day (March 8), the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and its President, Michèle Sabban, participated in several initiatives in Lyon, Orleans and Paris, thus reasserting AER’s commitment in tackling gender equality issues. Within AER, these issues are championed by the AER Observatory on Gender issues, … [Read more...]