EU territorial cohesion paper draws mixed reactions from MEPs

MEPs have given a mixed reaction to the commission’s newly launched green paper on ‘territorial cohesion’.

German Green MEP Gisela Kallenbach launched a withering attack on the document, saying, “It appears the mountain laboured and brought forth a mouse.”

Kallenbach, a member of parliament’s regional development committee, also said, “There is a huge discrepancy between the grand title and weak content of the green paper, which falls far short of parliament’s expectations and demands.”

Kallenbach said she had called on the commission to use the green paper to clearly define territorial cohesion and to list the objectives for territorial development in the EU.

“Some token elements are now included but not this essential definition or equal opportunities as a priority, as demanded by parliament.

“I am astounded by the list of questions posed at the end of the paper, which have already been discussed for many years by parliament, member states and NGOs. We expected the commission to at least begin to answer some of these questions but it has simply opted to repeat them all over again. No green paper was needed to do that.”

But Dutch EPP deputy Lambert van Nistelrooij, his party’s spokesman for regional policy, welcomed the document.

He said, “It stresses the need for concentration in some territories, and cooperation at all levels.

“It constitutes a good start to the debate between public and private partners all over Europe.”

The document, presented by European regional affairs commissioner Danuta Hübner on Monday, launches the start of a public consultation with NGOs and civil society on the future of regional policy.

Territorial cohesion is the name given to the EU policy which aims to tackle economic and social imbalance between urban and rural areas.

Outlining details of the paper, which suggests means to avoid depopulation or ‘urban sprawl’, Hubner said, “Territorial cohesion can help us improve the competitiveness of our territories.”

Public consultation on the green paper runs until next February and the commission will present an analysis of the findings in the spring.

Meanwhile, 80 regions from 51 countries worldwide will come together in the French city of Saint-Malo on 29 October to discuss ways of tackling the effects of climate change.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, president of the Brittany region, told a news conference on Tuesday that regions are “determined to underline their decision-making powers” in facing up to global warming.

“Regions are the first to witness climate evolution and have had to take immediate actions to confront the effects of climate change,” he said.

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