The future of Europe

In order to create a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy, the European Commission has launched the Europe 2020 strategy. which sets out five objectives in the areas of employment, innovation, education, social inclusion and climate/energy - which have to be reached by 2020.

Each Member State is asked to set up their own national plans in which they define their own targets in each of these areas. Further actions on Union level (flagship initiatives) are designed to support this strategy). 

In privious EU policy strategies (Lisbon strategy) regions were only involved marginally. However, from the top down, there is clear recognition now of the need to involve the regional/local perspective in formulation and delivery of EU policy if it is to be successful and deliver its ambitious objectives.

On 29 June 2011 the European Commission presented the Multi-annual Financial Framework (the MFF) - a document which presents the Commission's plans on how to spend EU money for the period 2014-2020. The MFF translates into financial terms the Union's political priorities.

The publication of the MFF document is the starting point for intense negotiations between EU institutions and Member States as well as for intense lobbying from different stakeholders.

Regional governments and administrations will be a critical partner in these discussions, particularly on the future of structural funds, but also on the future of innovation and research programmes, education and social policy programmes.Read more HERE.

An independent Reflection Group was established by the European Council with the objective of analysing the key challenges facing the European Union by 2030. The group started its work in December 2008 and presented its report to the European Summit in June 2010. AER considered this report and formulated following position which was adopted in November 2010 by the General Assembly:

The European Union institutions are currently debating the future of the European budget. Which priorities should be set? Which areas should receive financial support from a community budget? These are the main questions currently debated. Please find attached an AER position on the EU Budget Review and read more about AER events on this HERE.

The European Parliament elections that took place in June 2009 brought various political changes in the grass-root level institution of the EU. These are expected to trickle down and impact all governing bodies of the EU. At the same time, a new European Commission will soon be put into place. Read here what the AER demands from the new European Commission.

On 13 December 2007, EU leaders signed the Treaty of Lisbon, bringing to an end several years of negotiation about institutional issues.  The Treaty of Lisbon amends the current EU and EC treaties, without replacing them. It will provide the Union with the legal framework and tools necessary to meet future challenges and to respond to citizens' demands.

The AER has played an active role in influencing the drafting of the Constitutional Treaty since 2001, believing that the Constitution offered a vehicle for the regions to gain more influence in European policy-making. As a result of the AER's advocacy initiatives, the Constitution contained a range of provisions that were beneficial for the regions, including the extension of the principle of subsidiarity to the local and regional level, and the right of the Committee of Regions to take the European Commission to the European Court of Justice for breeches of this principle. For these reasons, the AER has been keen to see a swift resolution to the Constitutional impasse and to ensure that the gains for the regions in the Constitutional Treaty are maintained and implemented as soon as possible.