On 22 September the CIVEX commission meeting in Brindisi, Italy, approved two opinions of crucial importance for the local authorities in the European Union With an overwhelming majority, the members approved the position of the rapporteur Mr. Geblewicz on the European Neighbourhood Package. The latest developments and the signs of political instability in the eastern and southern borders of the EU recall about the importance of strengthening the relationship between the EU and each of its partner countries, and contributing to an area of security, prosperity and good neighbourliness.
Moreover, the CIVEX commission adopted a proposal for a 5 year communication plan which highlights the key importance of engaging the local and regional level to better communicate about the European Union and to regain the public trust after the surge of Eurosceptic sentiment across Europe in the last European Parliament elections.
The EA coordinator in the CIVEX commission, Jan Bronś, particularly welcomes the adoption of the CoR opinion on the Neighbourhood package and stresses that the reform agenda of the partner countries should not overlook the devolution of powers to subnational authorities which lay the foundations of a greater local democracy.
