Council of European Municipalities and Regions

LOCAL INSIGHT
Local and regional governments' view
on European affairs

Interview with...

Circular economy

Tjisse Stelpstra: "To reach a true circular economy, we need a mental shift towards the paradigm 'there is no waste' "

As the European Commission has decided on new actions to be taken to promote the circular economy, we spoke with Tjisse Stelpstra, regional minister of the Province of Drenthe (Netherlands) and CEMR spokesperson on energy, to get up to speed on the role of local and regional governments in this new action plan. We also broached the question of how the circular economy can contribute to creating a more sustainable world after the coronavirus pandemic.

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Migration

Migration and integration

Home is always local: why towns and regions need to be at the heart of next EU plan on migrant integration

We are at a critical junction for Europe’s stance on migration. On the one hand, the European Commission has just published a new Pact on Migration and Asylum, which aims to make the management of migratory flows more stable. This “fresh start” does not however offer much in the way of solutions for better inclusion of migrants and refugees.

On the other hand, the Commission has now just opened the debate on a new Action Plan on migrant integration, spelling out how the European Union will support national, regional and local governments welcome newcomers, including refugees, over the next four years.

CEMR, together with interested national associations and IncluCities project partners, has shared with the Commission the views of municipalities and regions on this crucial issue. In short, the new Action Plan should recognise that regional and local governments have a key role in ensuring successful integration.

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EU Green deal

Launch of the Green City Accord

Making our urban spaces healthier and cleaner

CEMR and its partners are pleased to announce the launch of the Green City Accord, a new European initiative to encourage cities to become healthier, cleaner and more environmentally friendly. Individual cities will volunteer to commit to achieving environmental improvements in five areas: air quality, water, waste, noise pollution and biodiversity.

“More than 70% of the European Union’s population lives in cities”, said Audrey Linkenheld, Deputy Mayor of Lille and Vice President of the Lille Metropolitan Area. “Therefore, addressing environmental challenges that pose risks to the health and wellbeing of our citizens starts at the local level. Cities must be the areas in which solutions really take off.”

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Cyprus

Famagusta

Reaction to the violation of UN resolutions regarding the situation of the city of Famagusta

Our attention has been drawn to the situation created in Cyprus by the Turkish occupying forces of the northern part of the island regarding the city of Famagusta under the protection of the United Nations.

As CEMR, we condemn any attempt to restart a conflict created by the non-respect of the resolutions of the United Nations and call for diplomatic talks and dialogue to settle the situation urgently.

Furthermore, we call for a peaceful conclusion to the now 46-year-old conflict and will support any attempt to find a diplomatic solution that would lead to the reunification of Cyprus with the support of all parties under the auspices of the United Nations and the European Union.

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