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Adoption of the resolution on specific territories by the European Parliament
The European Parliament adopted on September 21st, 2010 during its plenary session a resolution on the “European strategy for the economic and social development of mountain regions, islands and sparsely populated areas”.
According to the article 174 of the Lisbon Treaty and its objective of territorial cohesion, the resolution underlines the necessity of European measures, adapted to the challenges of specific territories. Beyond the recognition of permanent natural handicaps, these territories are carrying important assets which are beneficial to the whole European territory and can contribute to main European strategies, such as Europe 2020.
Many Members of the European Parliament, in particular members of “Intergroup174”, expressed their interest for this strategic subject and intervened in the presence of the Commissioner in charge of the Regional policy, Johannes Hahn. The MEPs from mountain regions, such as Jean-Pierre Audy (FR-EPP), Teresa Riera Madurell (ES-S&D), Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (ES-EPP), Giancarlo Scotta (IT- EFD), Miroslav Mikolášik (SK-EPP) and Bogusław Sonik (PL-EPP), unanimously insisted on the objective of harmonious territorial development, by taking into account geographical, economic and environmental specificities. It is necessary to bring adapted answers in order to face inequalities and to encourage territorial development by the valorisation of their assets.
In this framework, the chair of the REGI committee of the European Parliament, Danuta Hübner, called for territorialisation of the impact assessments the European policies. Only an adapted action and a better coordination of sectoral policies can improve the territorial impact of policies.
Commissioner Hahn strongly welcomed these 47 interventions and congratulated the MEPs for their interest in the future of the Regional policy which is a very important and visible policy to the EU citizens. Challenges of specific territories are of major importance for the European Commission. The potential of these areas, in particular in the field of research and innovation must be developed to create favourable living conditions for citizens. The Interservices group of the European Commission on Territorial Cohesion should encourage the dialogue on this subject and answer the various points quoted in the present resolution.
You can download :
- the press released emited by the organizations that support Intergroup 174
- the resolution
