The competitiveness of European industry, the importance of European Union membership, the EU enlargement process, and the practical implementation of nature conservation rules were among the main topics discussed during professional meetings and consultations held in October under the auspices of the European Committee of the Regions. The common message emerging from these meetings was the need to strengthen the role of local and regional authorities in preparing and implementing European decisions. This position was also advocated by Csaba Borboly, Vice-President of Harghita County Council, during a dialogue in Brussels with Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for the Environment.<\/p>\n
In October, the European People’s Party (EPP) Group in the European Committee of the Regions participated in several meetings and professional events aimed at identifying solutions to the economic, social and environmental challenges facing the European Union.<\/p>\n
Discussions on industrial policy in Valencia, the meeting in Belfast dedicated to relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom, consultations on Montenegro’s accession to the EU, and the dialogue on nature conservation in Brussels addressed different policy areas. Nevertheless, they all highlighted the same fundamental need: European regulations can deliver tangible results only if they take into account the realities and specific characteristics of individual regions.<\/p>\n
On 23 October, the Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) of the European Committee of the Regions held an external seminar in Valencia, focusing on revitalising European industry, strengthening business competitiveness and increasing the resilience of regional economies.<\/p>\n
Participants emphasised that Europe needs simpler authorisation procedures, predictable energy prices, stronger support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and easier access to investment.<\/p>\n
Alberto Cirio, President of the Piedmont Region and Chair of the ECON Commission, stressed that European industrial policy must take regional specificities into account. Investments should not only generate economic growth but also create local jobs, new training opportunities and sustainable long-term development.<\/p>\n
The meeting in Valencia also addressed the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act and the Clean Industrial Deal. According to participants, excessive bureaucracy can hinder business activity, while regulations must remain practical and applicable to smaller regions and businesses with limited resources.<\/p>\n
Discussions also covered the European Union’s future budget for 2028\u20132034, with particular emphasis on ensuring that decisions concerning development funding remain closely connected to the regional level.<\/p>\n
From Harghita County’s perspective, it is particularly important that future European industrial policy should not focus exclusively on major industrial centres but should also create development opportunities for small businesses, local producers and economic stakeholders in rural and mountainous areas.<\/p>\n
On 19\u201320 October, the 14th meeting of the Contact Group between the European Committee of the Regions and the United Kingdom took place in Belfast.<\/p>\n
The discussions focused on the future of EU\u2013UK relations, the consequences of Brexit, cross-border cooperation, trade and educational partnerships.<\/p>\n
Noel Formosa, Vice-President of the Gozo Region and a member of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions, emphasised that the experience of Brexit demonstrates the importance of the benefits of European Union membership, which sometimes become even more evident when a country is no longer part of this framework for cooperation.<\/p>\n
The meeting also highlighted that the European Union is not merely an economic partnership but a community built on peace, solidarity and shared opportunities.<\/p>\n
Participants visited the Black Mountain Shared Space community centre, where they learned about the role of European PEACE programmes in promoting reconciliation and cooperation between communities.<\/p>\n
The Belfast meeting demonstrated that international political decisions have direct consequences for local communities. Economic relations, educational and mobility opportunities for young people, and cross-border cooperation all have a tangible impact on the everyday lives of towns and villages.<\/p>\n
On 20 October, the 25th meeting of the EU\u2013Montenegro Joint Consultative Committee was held in Berane, Montenegro. The meeting focused on the country’s progress towards European Union membership and the involvement of local authorities in the accession process.<\/p>\n
Nikola Dobroslavi\u0107, President of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Assembly, stressed the importance of supporting Montenegro’s European integration, while insisting that local authorities must not be excluded from accession negotiations or the reforms associated with them.<\/p>\n
Demographic challenges were another important topic on the agenda. Population decline and changes in demographic structure are not merely national statistical issues; they directly affect the functioning of municipalities, the sustainability of public services and local economic development.<\/p>\n
Participants also discussed respect for European values, historical responsibility and the importance of reconciliation.<\/p>\n
The message of the meeting was clear: European integration cannot be limited to agreements between central institutions. For citizens to experience the benefits of accession in their everyday lives, local communities must be involved from the earliest stages of decision-making.<\/p>\n
The practical implementation of European regulations was also addressed during the dialogue in Brussels with Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for the Environment.<\/p>\n
Csaba Borboly, Vice-President of Harghita County Council, member of the European Committee of the Regions and rapporteur for the opinion on large carnivore management, participated in the implementation dialogue concerning the EU Birds and Habitats Directives, organised in the context of their assessment, known as the “stress test”.<\/p>\n
In his intervention, Csaba Borboly emphasised that local and regional authorities need appropriate legal instruments, expert support, clear guidance and access to financial resources in order to achieve nature conservation objectives.<\/p>\n
Reducing bureaucracy alone is not enough if new tasks and responsibilities are transferred to local authorities without providing the necessary support.<\/p>\n
Csaba Borboly also presented the example of the regional platform on large carnivores in Harghita County, which facilitates the collection of local experiences, scientific and technical data, and proposals for practical solutions.<\/p>\n
Regarding the issue of bears, he stressed that prevention and education remain essential, but protecting human lives also requires clear procedures that enable authorities to intervene in a timely manner. This is particularly important in situations where large carnivores pose a danger near homes and farms.<\/p>\n
In this regard, clear guidance is needed for the lawful, justified and timely application of the derogations provided for under Article 16 of the Habitats Directive.<\/p>\n
Csaba Borboly also advocated regular reassessments of the conservation status of species, based on scientific evidence and taking into account changes in populations and the particular circumstances of each region.<\/p>\n
In his view, the review of nature conservation rules must also draw on the experience of local authorities, which face the practical challenges of implementing these regulations on a daily basis.<\/p>\n
The meetings held in October demonstrate that, although the European Union faces different challenges across various policy areas, local and regional authorities play a crucial role in addressing each of them.<\/p>\n
Industrial policy decisions influence employment and business development, European cooperation affects cross-border relations, enlargement processes shape the future of communities, and nature conservation regulations can have a direct impact on citizens’ safety.<\/p>\n
In his work at European level, Csaba Borboly consistently advocates ensuring that the interests of smaller, rural and mountainous regions are represented in the European Union’s decision-making process.<\/p>\n
For Harghita County, this means that business development opportunities, young people’s prospects of remaining in their home communities, the capacity of local authorities to act, and citizens’ safety must all be taken into account when European regulations are developed.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the effectiveness of European cooperation also depends on the extent to which jointly agreed objectives are translated into tangible results at local level and on the changes that citizens experience in their everyday lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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