FUEN advocates for a stronger and more powerful role of the regions in Europe

„The success of Europe depends on its ability to become a Europe of the regions and of the citizens. No one has more insight and competence in this matter than the 60 million people who belong to the autochthonous national minorities of the European Union. We may only speak of maturity in Europe if we manage to consider ethnic identities as a value in itself and also protect this European value.” – said FUEN President Loránt Vincze who was invited to speak at a round table discussion about regional identities as part of a conference organized by the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in Eupen (Belgium) on Friday, 5 May 2017.

According to President Vincze the political influence of the regions in the decision making process of the European multilevel system has to be strengthened, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) of the European Union must be granted more competences as well as the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. He argued that: „Most national minorities, regional and minority language communities are firmly anchored in the region where they live. In many cases they know the culture of neighbouring countries and speak several languages. They are well placed to act as bridge-builders between regions in the Union. So far, too little use has been made of the opportunities that minorities offer for the strengthening of economic and social development and territorial cohesion.”

Hence, the President of the FUEN presented one of the important proposals of the Minority SafePack which was eventually accepted by the European Commission, regarding development of the EU regional policy. According to this proposal the regional funds shall be designed in such a way that they acknowledge the position of national minorities. The programme rules shall promote projects that stimulate pluralism and benefit national minorities. The common provisions of the regional funds shall be amended in such a way that the thematic objectives include the protection of national minorities and the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity.

The event was co-hosted by Oliver PAASCH, Minister-President of the German-speaking Community of Belgium and Karl-Heinz LAMBERTZ, First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions and Vice-President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Several representatives of state authorities and think-tanks from the UK, Austria, Germany, Finland, South Tyrol, Albania and even Armenia also contributed to the success of the event.