Regions and cities demand new proposal to establish a European Cross-Border Mechanism overcoming Member States’ resistance

Cross-border regions are at the heart of European integration and territorial cohesion priorities

Members of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) ask the European Commission to table a new proposal to finally set up a European Cross-Border Mechanism (ECBM), a tool that has the potential to make life of citizens, workers and industries in border regions easier. The current proposal, backed by both the CoR and the European Parliament, is currently blocked by Member States.

Studies of the European Commission show that a considerable loss in potential growth in the EU’s border regions is the direct result of legal and administrative obstacles. These create substantial administrative burdens, hindering the cross-border activities of citizens, communities and businesses. This is all the more important since it is estimated that 30% of the European population lives in border regions.

In the opinion adopted at its 10 October plenary Session, the CoR calls on the European Union and Member States to step up their efforts to reduce these barriers and to address the specific needs of citizens living in cross-border regions and seize the full potential of the European single market. Regional and local leaders also demand to establish cross-border coordination points in all Member States and to be properly involved in the shaping and implementation of new measures.

In order to build the strongest consensus around the new Mechanism, the CoR proposes that the new draft regulation be simplified, clarify procedures and stress the voluntary nature of the solutions to be implemented.

Rapporteur Magali Altounian (FR/Renew), member of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council, said: “With the European Cross-Border Mechanism, the European Union will offer a concrete tool to address the many challenges facing cross-border territories and thus improve the daily lives of their citizens. As a local elected member of a border region, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, I am proud, together with the European Committee of the Regions and alongside the European Parliament, to contribute to this work and hope that such a mechanism can be established very soon.”

Background:

The original 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 European Parliament and the CoR saw great value in this Regulation for border regions, and are requesting that a new Regulation, or amended, Regulation is proposed that would answer some of Member States' concerns.

Contact:

Hélène Dressen

Tel. +32 471 50 27 95

helene.dressen@cor.europa.eu

Matteo Miglietta

Tel. +32 470 89 53 82

matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu