Brussels, 28 August 2015
114th PLENARY SESSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
TUESDAY 13 AND WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2015
ITEM 2 – APPENDIX 3
MINUTES OF THE 113th PLENARY SESSION
OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
STATEMENT BY DAN KERSCH,
MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR OF THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG
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EN
-1Statement by Dan Kersch,
Ministry of the Interior of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
The president of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Markku Markkula, welcomed
the Minister of the Interior of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Dan Kersch and remarked that
Luxembourg was taking over the Presidency of the Council in what is a challenging period for the
EU. He mentioned that the Presidency had asked the CoR to issue opinions on territorial development
and cross-border cooperation, and asked for the role of the CoR to be recognised in the next
interinstitutional agreement on better regulation.
Mr Kersch noted that Luxembourg was taking over its 12th Presidency at a difficult moment for the
EU and explained that the Presidency would stand for solidarity and compromise as guiding
principles. He underlined that the objectives of the Presidency were consistent with the CoR priorities
for 2015-2020. In particular, he listed seven main priorities: 1. To deepen the social dimension in
Europe, with a focus on human capital and digital skills; 2. To free up investments to boost growth
and employment; 3. To manage migration and combat terrorism; 4. To revitalise the single market, in
particular the digital market; 5. To boost competitiveness in a transparent framework; 6. To promote
sustainable development; 7. To strengthen the presence of the EU on the global stage.
Michael Schneider (DE/EPP) pointed out that local and regional authorities were ready to help with
the implementation of the Investment Package, including in projects concerning cross-border
cooperation. He also asked for LRAs to be provided with more information regarding funding
opportunities.
Catiuscia Marini (IT/PES) congratulated Mr Kersch on his view of a social Europe and the common
interest. She called for more funding for public policies which could tackle unemployment and
poverty and called for a Europe which was useful to citizens.
Bas Verkerk (NL/ALDE) stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation in combatting
terrorism and extremism. In his view, local and regional authorities have an important role to play in
implementing de-radicalisation measures, including support for young people and their families.
Karim Van Overmeire (BE/EA) called for a consensus to tackle the challenges ahead. He stressed
the importance of the principle of subsidiarity and the important role of regional and local authorities
in social cohesion.
Jerzy Zająkała (PL/ECR) called for a more local-based approach to growth and employment, and
for the problems of co-financing for local and regional authorities to be addressed. He underlined the
importance of a macro-regional strategy for territorial cohesion and called for a Carpathian macroregional strategy. Finally, he called for the CoR to play a more important role in the legislative
process.
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-2Mr Kersch, referring to the Investment Package, mentioned the importance of cutting red tape in
order to facilitate the realisation of projects. He underlined the importance of respecting identities and
humanity in general, and of focusing on people who feel distant from the EU.
Karl-Heinz Lambertz (BE/PES) focused on the reconciliation of competitiveness and social justice
and expressed the need to enhance cross-border cooperation in Europe.
Pavol Frešo (SK/EPP) pointed out the importance of investments in infrastructure and human
resources in building a knowledge economy. He also called for a globally competitive common digital
union, support to e-government and asked for a common migration policy.
Marc Schaefer (LU/PES) expressed his concern about the absence of the cohesion policy from the
Presidency programme. He invited the Presidency to support the initiative of Commissioner Creţu for
simplifying and making European funds more accessible. Finally, he pointed out the need to reconcile
the general public with the European project.
Agnès Durdu (LU/ALDE) pointed out the importance of the free movement of cross-border workers
and called for the reduction of the administrative and fiscal burden faced by cross-border workers and
the elimination of unilateral national measures such as minimum salary.
Tamás Gergő Samu (HU/NI) expressed his concerns about the migration flow towards Europe.
Mr Kersch explained that Europe needs migrants for economic reasons and pointed out the
humanitarian aspect of this issue. He stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation for
Luxembourg and mentioned the importance of the continuity of work between Presidencies.
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