Is the Committee still essentially focused on energy and transport networks?

Energy, yes, we are very proactive in this field. In terms of transport, we could do more, and we intend to, as this field is crucial. We are involved in the implementation of Trans-European transport networks, and are investing energy in activities to promote regional aviation and the development of multi-modal transport.

The question of inter-modality and trans-national transport networks in the wider sense is a real issue for certain Regions, including my region of Noord-Brabant, Rhône-Alpes in France, Wielkopolska in Poland, Lviv in Ukraine and regions in the North of Italy. These issues are currently essentially discussed at national level, despite this being a European question, and despite the Regions being key factors.

The AER is convinced that the Regions must be considered in the framework of the Lisbon agenda as they have the ability to implement these initiatives: they could make small companies stronger, establish relations between business and research, and create poles of innovative economic activities, etc. Europe must ensure that the Regions hold the means of boosting and coordinating this potential, but we also require strong regional governments.

To come back to this issue, how can we ensure the active participation of the Regions within member states?

The Regions are active, that is not the problem. National governments sometimes prevent participation to various degrees, depending on the extent of regionalisation in the European country. The role of the central government often involves harmonising the development of the Regions, and yet, in Europe, we need strong Regions; this must clearly occur in consistency with the principles of cohesion, the long-standing field of combat for the AER. Several significant economic Regions currently exist and must be further developed to allow Europe to stand up to international competition. I agree with the AER President in that the future of Europe depends on the Regions. We must find a constitutional model with greater empowerment for the Regions.

I am also a member of the Committee of the Regions and I consider that this body does not have adequate influence. When the CoR was created, thanks to the work of the AER, it should have become the voice of the Regions. Even today, this body functions on the basis of political parties. Europe is becoming increasingly political, and this occasionally acts to the detriment of economic factors. We need the Regions to obtain a strong voice, today, for hands-on issues. The AER is this speaker.