AMRAM – Association of Municipalities of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, which currently holds the presidency of the CMU – Confederation of Outermost Municipalities(1), represented by Ricardo Nascimento, participated, in a meeting last week with the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Vasco Cordeiro, in which the concerns of the municipalities of the ORs (Outermost Regions) were conveyed. This includes the Committee of the Regions’ support for the future integration of the CMU as an observer member of the CMU. The importance of municipalities in the European Union’s cohesion policy was highlighted, noting their active participation in the construction of cohesion policy, aiming at the harmonious economic, social, and territorial development of the Municipalities of the ORs.
Furthermore, a meeting was also held with the Technical Advisor of the Portuguese Outermost Regions at REPER, Rita Andrade. At this meeting, the CMU was presented and its role as a representative of the municipalities of the ORs was highlighted. It further identified the needs, opportunities, and threats of these small territories within the EU.
The opportunity was also taken to request that the CMU be a consultative member of REPER at the level of European policies that may have an impact on the development of the Municipalities of the ORs. “It was also intended to strengthen relations with REPER to obtain information regarding sources of funding for CMU’s activities, encouraging institutional relations between these municipalities and the EU.”
On the 9th of October, the CMU met with the commissioner of the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, Elisa Ferreira. This moment was dedicated to the presentation of the CMU, having conveyed its concerns and request for support so that the CMU can be part of the Committee of the Regions participating as an effective member or observer.
It was also intended to have the support of the European Commission in terms of financing the activities of the CMU, and financial resources may eventually be mobilised for the direct development of the Municipalities of the ORs.
Moreover, during the 9th of October meeting, CMU representatives participated in a meeting with Councilor Etienne Le Marchand, from the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union, to convey the concerns of the municipalities, as well as to request his support in connecting with the French ORs and the importance of their representation within the CMU. ad
AMRAM returned to Madeira with a concern shared by CMU members, of the possibility of the next programming of the European Funds being more centralised, which could lead to the eventual dismissal of Regional Operational Programmes, a situation that can become a “trial balloon.” However, this cannot fail to be a concern for the municipalities of the ORs. “The importance of the Municipalities of the ORs working together becomes increasingly important to defend their specificities and concerns,” defends AMRAM.
The CMU’s mission to Brussels was to alert the various European organisations of the importance of the CMU and the voice it can have in Europe.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
