Euromontana participated in a public hearing on 10th September 2019 to share comments on the own initiative report on “the macroregional strategy for the Carpathian region”, prepared by Mr Wladyslaw Ortyl, member of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and Marshall of the Polish Podckarpackie region.
This draft opinion calls for the establishment of a whole macro strategy for the Carpathians, as this is currently the case for the Alps or the Danube. Taking into account the strengths (such as the ecological corridor, natural and cultural resources) but also the weaknesses of the region (very low GDP per capita), the rapporteur underlined the need to strengthen the cooperation in this region. After consultation with different NGOs, regional and national organisations from the different Carpathian countries, the Polish representative has also worked on a draft strategy that could be a basis for further discussion on what could become such future macro-regional strategy for the Carpathians.
In addition, Marie Clotteau, Director of Euromontana was invited on 9th October 2019 to present our association during the Carpathian Interregional Group of the CoR. It was the occasion to explain how our network could support further development of the Carpathians.
What are the next steps for the adoption of a macro-regional strategy?
The adoption of this CoR report is expected on the 4th December 2019 in the plenary session after its adoption in the COTER commission on the 23rd October 2019. If adopted, it would be a good support for pushing for such macro-regional strategy.
The European Commission will however be able to establish a macroregional strategy for the Carpathians only when there will be an official request from the Council of the EU. So all the Member States of the Carpathians have now to be convinced that such strategy would be beneficial for them and have to officially support it.
For more information on this idea of a macro-regional strategy for the Carpathians, the EPRS (European Parliamentary Research Service), should publish before November a study on the subject. Euromontana will keep you posted on the subject.
9 October 2019
