Sustainable territorial and local development

"We liked the score, but we have not heard the music yet". This was the reaction of the president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) after the hearing of Johannes Hahn for the post of EU Commissioner for Regional Policy.

 

I welcome Johannes Hahn's statement that local and regional authorities are the engine of economic and social development in Europe, said Michael Haüpl. I therefore hope that the new European Commission will fully take into account the concerns of our towns and regions. This for two reasons: to enable them to fulfil their tasks, but as importantly in the interest of our citizens.

 

The main message delivered by the regional policy commissioner-designate during his hearing was that regional policy is a success story. Johannes Hahn strongly advocated a strategic and integrated approach to regional policy, highlighting his opposition to any attempts to renationalise it.

 

Responding to a question by MEP and CEMR executive president Oldøich Vlasák on how to better involve local and regional authorities, Mr Hahn strongly favoured more active involvement of towns and regions.

 

Johannes Hahn's hearing at the European Parliament took place on 14 January 2010.

 

Note: Each would-be EU Commissionner must first be approved by the European Parliament at individual hearings.