Strasbourg (F), 30 April 2013

The President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) Michèle Sabban spoke on the recent disagreements between EU member states’ decision makers:

None of the member states should merely accept to uphold an opposing position with regards to their EU partners, they should conversely act as driver for propositions, as in the case of the Compact for growth and jobs, which was heeded at the very heart of the European Regions. The European Union is based on the principle of compromise: Instead of reacting in opposition to others, we should work to adopt strong, common positions that can be proposed to other member states. This is the only way the EU can move forward and be stronger!

If there were only one example to give on the importance of sharing experiences and dialogue between Member States, it would be the establishment of the Public Investment Bank (BPI) in France, based on the model of its German counterpart. The structural funds, the “project bonds”… are all tools of growth that we need to use in order to better ensure the European stimulus policy, which can be carried out by the regions.
The actions led by the AER for several years at the level of the Greater Europe – 250 member regions from 35 countries – shows that there is nothing like dialogue and exchange of experiences, that everyone always finds its account and this, for the common good of Europe.

Michèle Sabban invites all regions of Europe to support the Growth policy on May 16, in Paris for the conclusions of the Crisis Summits of the AER.

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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