Delivering a keynote speech at the 9th Conference of Presidents of Regions with Legislative Powers (REGLEG) in Brussels, Committee of the Regions (CoR) President Luc Van den Brande called for a new global vision for Europe. For the post-Lisbon Strategy era, Europe would need a new Policy Master Plan. Van den Brande invited the 73 REGLEG Presidents to work hard for a new system of governance in Europe, built on partnership between local, regional, national and the European levels.
Luc Van den Brande underlined “that the current financial crisis is forcing Europe to make a new start.” He urged for a European Policy Master Plan that will carry the European Union beyond the 2010 horizon of the current Lisbon strategy. “This plan should outline a global vision for Europe, based on four equal, mutually reinforcing pillars: peace and justice for all, economic growth (with full employment), social and territorial cohesion and environmental sustainability. Only with such a master plan, providing an overall vision, Europe will be able to face the challenges in the different policy areas,” he added.
Once the Master Plan designed, Europe and its member states would need institutional reforms to be able to implement it effectively. “A new sustainable governance model to build “Europe in Partnership” can only be achieved with the active involvement and institutional recognition of Europe’s regions. Thus, once the Lisbon Treaty is in force, the devolution of legislative powers within Member States to sub-national levels must be taken into account at European level. Multi-level governance has to become the foundation of Europe’s good governance,” said the CoR President.
Van den Brande announced that in 2009 the Committee of the Regions would present a White Paper on Multi-level governance in Europe. The White Paper would highlight the opportunities and advantages for Europe to work together in partnership, it would analyse current shortcomings and show the way forward to establish European multi-level governance.
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