24
Apr
2024
Watch
Forging a sustainable future together: economic, social and territorial challenges for a competitive, cohesive and inclusive Europe (debate)
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, You hear so many rumors in the corridors right now, in this case so many that there might be something to it. One hears, for example, that DG REGIO is to be completely phased in. managed funds are to be the future of regional policy. So it's about the substance of the investments for the regions, the substance of the investments that are supposed to bring the EU closer together. Commissioner McGuinness, I would like you to make a very clear statement today: Will the regions be able to continue to decide on their own funding in the future, or will the announcement only come from Brussels in the future? This would be a brutal blow to the regions and, in particular, to rural areas. I am talking about the abandoned rooms where there is no bus, where there are no jobs, where young families do not see a future. We must promote these rural areas, make them fit for the future, and finally make them more lively. This can only be achieved with well-established, well-used regional funding. We need central support for industry, for European infrastructure, but in addition to regional support. This regional support must be made easier. She must finally put an end to this jungle of support. We need to see a serious reduction in bureaucracy, and we need to let citizens have a say in the transformation on the ground. Cohesion must be there for people, but it must also happen to people. For this, we need a common European commitment. Mr President, if you allow, two more personal sentences: This is my last speech in this mandate, in this House, and it has been a great honour for me to work with all of you, ladies and gentlemen, through times that have been truly difficult, especially for regional policy. But I think we moved a lot for times of crisis, and we put a lot of effort into it. I look forward to continuing to do so with you in the future. It was a great honour, and I hope that honour will continue in the future.