Institutional Affairs Spring meeting 2009_Fribourg

Summary of the Institutional Affairs spring meeting taking place during the AER Bureau meeting in Fribourg on 14-15 May 2009.

Summary of the meeting:

Decentralisation and the impact on the economy:

This spring brueau and institutional affairs session was dedicated to the current economic crisis and the role regions can play in order to face the crisis. A discussion round with high ranking politicians took place on the first afternoon of the AER meeting. Topic of the discussion was: Regional answers to the global economic crisis.

In this context the new AER study "From Subsidiarity to Success: the impact of decentralisation on economic growth" gained new relevance. It final results were presented for the first time to the members of the bureau and later to the open public. Main outcomes of the study are that decentralisation can be measured (through the establishment of a decentralisation index) and that it can - given the right balance- contribute to economic growth.

Citizens participation and upcoming elections:

The institutional affairs committee organised a series of events in order to raise awareness of the upcoming European elections and the implications for the regions. Through its "Do you speak European? Competition and the European citizen's fora, the AER is furthermore engaged in reconnecting Europe with its citizens.

New Eastern Partnership:

A new policy framework for cooperation with EU' Eastern neighbours has been set up. The Institutional affairs committee as drawn up a position paper where it argues for the important role of the regions when implementing new strategies.  

The work of the Institutional Affairs Committee was presented by the Vice-President of the committee Lars-Gerhard Westberg: