Promoting the role of Regions in the definition of Transport policies

The Assembly of European Regions is convinced that the transport sector is a key tool for regional economic development and that Regions should therefore be much better involved in all decision-making processes in this field. Most European regions have strong competencies in regional transportation. However, the national frameworks for territorial cohesion and economic development often fail to meet the needs and expectancies of the Regions.

• Regional aviation
  The AER actively supports the development of regional airports, as it considers it is an asset for regions' economic development.
• Services of General Interest
  The AER remains vigilant regarding the liberalisation of the transport sector and insists on the need to study its potential economic, social and environmental impacts.
• EC Common Transport Policy and Trans-European Transport Networks
  The Assembly of European Regions remains very committed to defend the Regions' role in the definition of the main programmes for transport infrastructure.

AER Committee 1 position on sectoral services of general interest (October 2004)

Declaration on TENs, Bari, 14 May 2004

Declaration 'The Regions for a new European Transport Governance', November 2001

In this Declaration, the AER regrets that the White Paper fails dismally to recognise the pivotal role of the Regions in Transport Strategy.