Towns, cities and regions are strategic partners in EU’s foreign policy

On 1st July, the European Committee of the Regions called on the European Union to recognise towns, cities and regions as strategic partners in its foreign policy.

In two opinions adopted, they arguied that local and regional governments should play a formal role in EU development cooperation, enlargement policy and in fragile settings.

During the debate on the Opinion on Global Europe, the rapporteur Joško Klisović, Member of the Assembly of the City of Zagreb (Croatia), said he was schocked by the cuts foreseen in the Negotiating box on the EU’s long-term budget presented by the Council.

“To reinforce its reach, Europe should fully recongise local and regional authorities as strategic actors in EU external action and as part of Team Europe,” he said.

“Multilevel governance and localisation become guiding principles in Global Europe, not optional add ons,» he added, asking for a reinforcement of decntralised cooperation and people-to-people exchange.

Reacting from the room, our spokesperson and mayor of Losser (Netherlands) Jeroen Diepemaat declared: «As the EU puts more focus on its strategic interests, security and competitiveness, we must ensure that its external action remains inclusive and sustainable. It is therefore essential that local and regional governments are structurally involve within Global Europe.»

He added: «They are closest to communities, have a unique understanding of local realities, they contribute to stronger partnerships, and help turn international ambitions to practical results. Strong local public institutions and good local governance are key conditions for this.”

Decentralised cooperation and fragile contexts

The second Opinion was focusing on decentralised cooperation and fragile contexts. “How can we, European cities and regions, help more than two billion people?” asked the rapporteur Magali Altounian, Regional Councillor of Region Sud – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (France).

“In these situations, the local dimension is fundamental. We are talking about fragile contexts, not fragile countries; the frame of reference is therefore territorial rather than national,” she answered.

She added: “Decentralised cooperation is a key lever of the integrated approach. It maintains ties when traditional channels close, provides useful technical support, and strengthens governance, public services, and citizen participation—in short, the very things that hold a society together.”

Joško Klisović also highlighted that in fragile context, decentralised development cooperation is a vital instrument for turning actions into achievements: «decentralised cooperation generates innovative solutions, acts as laboratory in which ideas can be tested, replicated & scaled, builds bridges, fosters local stability and trust—which is the first step in preventing crisis.”

Pictures © European Union / Emile Windal