The European Committee of the Regions' commission for Economic Policy
(ECON) has adopted draft opinions on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, the review report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility as well as on the Single Market Emergency Instrument. On the same day, 7 December, a group of Czech glass producers also presented to ECON members crystal glasses from Bohemia, as an example of regional craft excellence that could be
better protected through a new EU framework for geographical indications of industrial and craft products.
The CoR has been calling since 2015 for the creation of the new system, which is built on a successful model used for agriculture and food.
In a
draft opinion, ECON members urged the European Commission to boost and accelerate action
on
Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) to ensure their successful and timely implementation leading to a
fairer, greener and more prosperous future. The recommendations reflect
deep concern on the part of cities and regions about a reversal of progress
in implementation of the SDGs in the EU and by the need to accelerate the
recovery on the ground. The Goals were set by United Nations for the years
until 2030, but the COVID-19 crisis, climate change and growing
geopolitical tensions are putting at risk the chances of achieving the
targets. The ECON commission's recommendations therefore argue that SDGs
should be better integrated into the European Semester and better harnessed
to the EU recovery, notably in the National Recovery and Resilience Plans
which Members States submitted under the €724 billion
Recovery and Resilience Facility
(RRF).
The rapporteur
Ricardo Rio
(PT/EPP), Mayor of Braga, said: "
Cities and regions are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals
and its importance for a sustainable recovery and long-term sustainable
growth. That is why the European Committee of the Regions is
reinforcing the need of its achievement all across the European Union.
"
Progress in the implementation of the RRF was the focus of the opinion
drafted by
Rob Jonkman
(NL/EPP), alderman of the municipality of Opsterland, which was also
adopted by ECON members. Local leaders criticised the
review report
on the Recovery and Resilience Facility, published in July by the European
Commission, calling it a “missed opportunity”. They regretted that no
qualitative analyses are included in the report and urged Member States and
the Commission to transform the current centralised governance into a
multi-level implementation approach, which fully involves local and
regional authorities to effectively deliver RRF investments.
The rapporteur, Rob Jonkman, said: “
The RRF is considered the cornerstone of the European Union's
forward-looking strategy, as National Recovery and Resilience Plans set
the investment and reform agenda to achieve inclusive and sustainable
growth for years to come. Local and regional authorities have important
competences in the six pillars of the RRF, from green transition,
digital transformation to economic and territorial cohesion and
competitiveness. Cities' and regions’ involvement in the further
implementation is therefore a matter not only of logic and fairness,
but also necessary for the RRF to effectively achieve its stated
objectives. We need partnership and multi-level cooperation, not
centralisation.”
ECON members also unanimously adopted a
draft opinion
welcoming the EU Commission’s proposal for an emergency instrument for the
Single Market. Local and regional authorities face the consequences of
crises that affect the Single Market and are often responsible for
implementing mitigating measures. Regions and cities should therefore
contribute to the shaping of Single Market policies, and particularly to a
robust overall EU preparedness and response framework that complements
existing and planned rules.
Muhterem Aras
(DE/Greens), rapporteur of the opinion and President of the Landtag of
Baden-Württemberg, said: "
EU rules need to reflect the realities of people and businesses in
regions, cities and communities and prevent border closures in the case
of future crises. The Single Market Emergency Instrument should better
involve the local and regional level and needs to ensure the freedom of
movement and open EU borders through coherence with other EU
regulations. Thus, the SMEI should have partial priority over the
Schengen Borders Code in order to avoid long traffic jams at borders
hindering the free movement of people and goods, as seen during the
covid-19 pandemic
."
The three opinions are scheduled to be adopted during the CoR's plenary
session in February 2023.
During the meeting,
Elio Di Rupo
(BE/PES), Minister-President of the Wallonia Region, was appointed as
rapporteur on the reform of the EU economic governance framework.
A group of Czech glass producers from the “Crystal Valley” also presented
to local leaders crystal glasses from Bohemia, as an example of regional
craft excellence that could be protected through the new EU framework for
geographical indications of industrial and craft products. In October 2021
and October 2022, the Committee
adopted two opinions
drafted by
Martine Pinville
(FR/PES), member of the regional council of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region,
advocating for the creation of the new system of geographical indications
that would strengthen the legal protection of local heritage, help combat
counterfeiting and create and maintain jobs which are crucial for regional
economies.
Background:
According to the OECD, 65% of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot
be achieved without the involvement of local and regional authorities.
Therefore, cities and regions cited in the EU Annual SDGs monitoring report
underlined the importance of involving significant data and good practice
from the local and regional level, to showcase cities' and regions' efforts
to implement SDGs. To accelerate efforts to achieve SDGs on the ground and
provide a framework for regions to monitor them in their territory, the CoR
has voiced its support for a pilot project
launched
by the Joint Research Center on 29 November called “Monitoring the SDGs in
the EU regions - Filling the data gaps - REGIONS2030" .
The exhibition of crystal glass hosted by the CoR upon invitation of
Pavel Branda
(CZ/ECR), Deputy Mayor of Rádlo, featured a variety of glassware, but also
a handmade Christmas tree decorations made of blown glass beads, which was
inscribed on the
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
(UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists) in 2020 at the proposal of the
Czech Republic.