COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS/OPEN DAYS 2005: INSTITUTIONS AND REGIONS EMPHASISE URGENT NEED FOR BUDGET AGREEMENT.

Mrs Hubner argued that it would be "absurd to speak of solidarity, cohesion or competitiveness" without a solid financial base behind the EU's policies. CoR President Peter Straub spoke out for the local and regional authorities his institution represents in warning of the threat to growth and employment in the regions posed by any further delay in reaching a deal on the next medium-term financial perspective. All political groups within the CoR were unanimous: a smaller budget would be unacceptable, it would undermine cohesion. "We have now reached the threshold below which we cannot descend", said Michael Schneider, Vice-President of the EPP group on the CoR. These interventions naturally contrast sharply with the prudence shown by the British Presidency of the EU. Alun Michael, UK Minister for Industry and the Regions, insisted instead on the fact that the future budget must take account of "the wider debate on the Union's future direction".

CoR plenary.

The Committee of the Regions' plenary session was also held in the same week. Invited to speak on October 12, Danuta Hubner put particular emphasis on the urban dimension of future EU cohesion policy. She was critical of the attitude adopted by member states that have sought throughout the ongoing negotiations on future Structural Fund Regulations to water down the European Commission's proposals on the involvement of local authorities in EU regional policy. The Council of Ministers has thus chosen to make a series of proposals designed to improve consideration of local factors in the implementation of programmes co-financed through the structural funds optional. This is the case, for example, of consultation of local authorities in the context of partnerships, the notification by states of lists of cities involved in programme management, and the practical involvement of local authorities in programme management. "I am counting on your support to convince member states to return to our in initial...