Europe could be a step closer to removing cross-border obstacles for citizens and administrations

​​​Local and regional leaders call on Member States to agree on new EU rules.

Regional and local leaders welcome the recent proposal by the European Commission, which, after years of political deadlock, designs new instruments to make life of citizens, workers and industries in border regions easier. The proposed regulation takes on board a large majority of recommendations made by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in an opinion drafted by Magali Altounian (FR/Renew E.), member of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regional Council. 

Around 150 million citizens live in European cross-border regions and, according to a study funded by the European Commission, removing 20% of the current legal and administrative obstacles would boost GDP by 2% in cross-border regions and create over one million jobs.   

Thanks also to pressure from regions and cities, in December 2023 the European Commission tabled a new proposal to set coordination points and facilitation tools that would help to overcome unnecessary obstacles, cutting red-tape and unleashing the full potential of businesses and public administrations based in cross-border regions. 

The previous draft regulation from 2018, backed by both the CoR and the European Parliament, had been blocked by some Member States in the Council of the EU. 

A new proposal to overcome Member States' blockade 

With an opinion adopted on 17 April at the CoR's plenary session, regions and cities estimate that concerns of some of the Member States have now been clarified, establishing that the tool is voluntary and does not infringe on national sovereignty. Countries would be allowed to solve border obstacles as they see fit: with the proposed Cross-Border Facilitation Tool or with other instruments.  

Local and regional leaders also underlined the importance to create Cross-Border Coordination Points in each Member State or region with legislative powers. Coordination Points should have real powers to help remove cross-border obstacles and play a preventive role to avoid the creation of bureaucratic barriers coming from new national legislation.  

Therefore, the CoR calls on the Member States to enter the negotiations with a “fresh view on the regulation," because solving cross-border obstacles could lead to significant economic growth in border regions.  

Quotes

Rapporteur Magali Altounian (FR/Renew E.), said: “I am very pleased to present another report about the Mechanism to resolve legal and administrative obstacles in a cross-border context. Firstly, because it illustrates the importance of mobilizing local and regional elected representatives to ensure that the European legislative framework evolves to meet the challenges facing their territories. Secondly, just a few weeks before the European elections, it sends a positive message for the future of our beautiful border regions and, more generally, for the construction of the European Union." 

MEP Sandro Gozi took part in the discussion and said: “The persistence of invisible bureaucratic walls undermines the rights and opportunities of 150 million EU citizens living in border regions. In a phase where the relaunch of the Single Market appears indispensable, the removal of these barriers must become a priority. The European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions have been and will continue to be close allies in this fight. We call on the Council to open negotiations on the Regulation on Facilitating cross-border solutions as soon as possible." 

Background​ 

The original European Cross Border Mechanism (ECBM) Regulation was adopted in 2018. Despite the Regulation being adopted by the European Parliament, a certain number of Member States showed a considerable reservation towards it, and the discussions were suspended.  

Nevertheless, the CoR saw great value in this regulation for border regions and campaigned for a new Regulation that answer some of Member States' concerns. The request was included in a first opinion drafted by Ms Altounian and adopted in October 2023.  

The European Commission put forward its new proposal in December 2023. 

With this second opinion drafted by Ms Altounian and adopted by the plenary on 17 April, the CoR assessed the European Commission's proposal. 

Press release on the CoR opinion adopted in October 2023.   

Proposed regulation on Facilitating Cross-border Solutions. 

Contact: 

Matteo Miglietta 

Tel: +32 470 895382 

Matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu 

Hélène Dressen 

Tel. +32 473 33 25 08 

helene.dressen@cor.europa.eu