COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
OPEN DAYS 2005
European Territorial Cooperation in a
Transnational Perspective
Rodney Berman
(Session 11C04)
Rodney Berman is the Leader of Cardiff Council and, since July 2005, President of the Conference of
Atlantic Arc Cities. Within the context of “European territorial cooperation in a transnational perspective”
his presentation will consider the role of partnership working and the contribution that can make to
best practice and, in particular, to engaging all stakeholders in the development of the Atlantic Arc
Area.
There is strong evidence that leading European politicians and institutions have woken up to the
important role of cities and the vital contribution that they make to cohesion, growth and jobs. For
example, earlier this year Commissioner Hübner emphasised the need for continued solidarity among
regions and cities across the enlarged Union, commenting that “Competitiveness and growth need to be
taken to the local and regional levels - this is where jobs are created and long term competitiveness built”.
Cities and regions throughout Europe warmly applauded these comments and welcomed the call for
solidarity to support future competitiveness and growth. But where is the evidence of this previous
solidarity? Is there really something to continue? Many would say not, and some would point to the
failure of the Lisbon Strategy as a clear demonstration of the serious problems that exist in the
relationships between cities, regions and national governments.
The Lisbon strategy aspires to making Europe the most competitive region of the world by 2010.
However, the European Commission’s review of progress in April 2005 painted a very pessimistic
picture, with Commission President Barroso forced to admit that, half-way through the process, “the
results are not very satisfactory”. The consequences are serious; the EU economy is in several respects
further away from its goal of becoming the world’s most competitive economy than it was in March
2000, a substantial part of the potential labour force is left unoccupied, unable to contribute to an
increase in living standards and, throughout most of the Union, productivity growth has been on a
declining trend for several decades.
If it accepted that cities and regions really are “key players” in creating long term growth and
competitiveness, then surely they must share responsibility for the lack of progress for the failure of
the Lisbon Strategy? Maybe so, but is it really fair for them to accept this responsibility when their
influence on regional operational programmes has been limited under partnerships that have given
overwhelming power to the State? Many cities and regions feel that, despite the apparent recognition
of their important role, the current arrangements do not encourage constructive partnership working
either locally or internationally. The reality is that cities and regions are often competing with each
other, and with the State, rather than working together. Is that all about to change?
City and regional authorities are best placed to understand local political priorities and to develop
proposals that reflect and address them. It is being increasingly recognised that the participation of
cities and regions in the definition and implementation of the new funding arrangements is consistent
with the European Spatial Development Perspective and good European governance. For example,
the recently published “integrated guidelines for growth” stresses that Europe must “take every
opportunity to involve regional and local governments, social partners and civic society in the implementation of
the integrated guidelines for growth and jobs”. More recently, in her address to a Committee of the
Regions meeting in September 2005 Commissioner Hübner said the success of the EU's new, more
strategic approach would depend critically on the “full involvement of local, urban and regional
authorities”, urging regional and local leaders to “make national governments aware of the serious
consequences for regional projects of further delays in reaching agreement on the future finances of the EU”.
Rodney Berman will focus on a narrow window of opportunity during which it might just be possible
for cities and regions to genuinely and positively influence the content and management of future
strategies and funding programmes. He will argue that local authorities, member States and European
institutions must jointly seize this opportunity to engage with each other and other stakeholders to
ensure that, within the European strategic objectives for cohesion, growth and jobs, appropriate
priority is given to the role of cities in a territorial dimension. As the current President of the
Conference of Atlantic Arc Cities, and leader of the Regional Policy Working Group that has
developed an innovative partnership charter between cities and regions in the Atlantic Arc, he will
outline an innovative new partnership approach that will result in genuine collaboration between
local and regional stakeholders. A Charter which :

Provides an outline of the shared concerns and aspirations of cities and regions,

Recognises the need for broad and effective involvement of cities and regions with states and
other stakeholders,

Recognises the need to promote the urban dimension as a high priority within national strategic
frameworks and regional operational programmes and

Gives a commitment to exchange information on progress and inform each other when consulted
by governments to ensure that responses are consistent.
The partnership will ensure that cities and regions contribute jointly to the debate on programme
arrangements right from the outset. It is supported by a technical paper setting out joint proposals for
the effective administration of Regional Operational Programmes, including proposals for ensuring
that all stakeholders, including the state, are involved on an equal basis. It calls for a joint approach to
the organisation of the Steering Groups; jointly chaired by the Member State and the regional
authority and involving all key stakeholders including representatives of the EC and the local
economic and social sectors.
The partnership proposals will, if supported at all levels of government, represent fundamental
improvements to European democracy; they will enable States to reengage with citizens and local
communities, enabling local priorities to be reflected and addressed as part of national strategic
frameworks. The CAAC and AAC believe that these proposals are in accord with the General
Regulations and meet the Commission’s aspiration for the European Union to do more to “mobilise all
the resources at national and community levels” and are consistent with Commissioner Barroso’s view
that “The involvement of relevant stakeholders can help to raise awareness of the need for structural reforms,
improve the quality of implementation and increase the sense of ownership of the Lisbon Strategy”.
On the face if it, there appears to be a willingness on behalf of member States and the European
Community to involve regional and local governments, social partners and civic society in the
implementation of the integrated guidelines. Councillor Berman’s presentation will conclude by
examining the conditions for success :
•
The need for the urban dimension to be promoted and given high priority within national
strategic frameworks and regional operational programmes
•
The need for recognition of local and regional contributions as an important aspect of the
European democratic model, the territorial dimension and the extension of the principle of
subsidiarity to local and regional levels.
•
The need for close links between sustainable social and urban development and competitive
development within regions,
•
The need to support the objective of territorial cooperation
•
The need to ensure that research, major infrastructure projects, external action and cohesion
policies are priorities that must not be “traded away” during the budget debate.
•
Firm and positive proposals in relation to Regional State Aid to deal effectively with transition
and the “Statistical Effect”
But above all, the need to reach agreement on the financial perspectives for 2007/2013 including an ambitious
budget that provides sufficient resources for the creation of jobs, growth and sustainable development in support
of the Lisbon & Gothenburg strategies.