CEMR and its national associations of local authorities officially launched "The local and regional governments manifesto", during a meeting at the European Parliament on 10 February 2014.
At the invitation of the Vice-President of the European Parliament - in charge of relations with local government, and Executive president of CEMR, Oldrich Vlasák, this event has been the opportunity to present the nine local government key messages for the upcoming elections, in May 2014. The event counted with the presence of Danuta Hübner (Chair of EP Committee on Regional Development), Jo Leinen (MEP and President of the European Movement International), Anthea McIntyre and Jan Olbrycht (MEP and President of the Urban Intergroup of the European Parliament). On the other hand, CEMR representatives included:
- Annemarie Jorritsma, CEMR President, former Deputy Prime Minister in the Netherlands and Mayor of Almere ( Netherlands) ;
- Mariana Gâju, Vice-President of CEMR and Mayor of Cumpănă (Romania);
- Mairi Evans, Chair of the Committee of young local and regional elected representatives, Councillor of Angus (Scotland, UK) ;
- Peršak Anton, President of NALAS and Mayor of Trzin (Slovenia).
During her speech, CEMR President urged members of the European Parliament to "not over-regulate but rather better regulate." In the context of a Europe facing many threats and challenges, she encouraged collaboration among all elected officials - local, national and European - in order to align European policies with the real citizens’ needs. This message was also relayed in a video presenting the manifesto at the meeting.
This manifesto has been unanimously adopted on 3 December 2013 in Prague, by the elected representatives of the 57 CEMR member sections and associations. It presents nine key messages to consolidate cooperation between the European institutions and local government for the next five years.
To find out the manifesto please click here.
