On the 22nd of November, the 10th meeting of the NAT Commission of the Committee of the Regions took place. On the agenda were a number of items including the priorities of the NAT commission for 2022 such as health and rural development and the opinion on the EU's long-term vision for rural areas.
Speaking on the opinion on the long-term vision for rural areas Mr Dariusz Strugała, EA coordinator for NAT Commission and Mayor of Jaraczewo, outlined how "this opinion covers all the issues facing rural areas". That being said, Mr Strugała also called for increased investment in the countryside. It is important, he said, that rural development is integrated into the wider EU funding infrastructure.
Speaking on the future work of the CoR, Mr Strugała pointed the need to increase also the visibility of the work which was already carried out. In this context he strongly highlighted the EA priorities in this area; "It is very positive to our Group to see one of the main priority areas for 2022 such as Rural areas. The CoR 2021 Barometer addressed the rural dimension of the COVID – 19 and economic recovery with a view to health and urban-rural digital gap. The European Commission work programme for 2022 acknowledges rural proofing as an instrument for better regulation alongside territorial impact assessments. At the EA Group priorities a renewed Territorial Agenda should envisage closer relationships and cooperation between cities and surrounding areas, both urban and rural and reinforce linkages between them. The Members of our Group believe that the sustainable future of Europe depends on the linkage with a strong Rural Agenda to ensure the key role of rural areas to achieve a smart and fair energy transition, to guarantee basic resources and biomaterials, to provide food security and to ensure health and welfare among all citizens."
"It is necessary to fight against depopulation of rural areas to ensure these global goals. Rural, island and mountain areas offer a showcase of the diversity of Europe's regions and have unique cultural and natural assets which positively affect the wellbeing of people living in these areas. The EA Group believes that specific measures need to be put in place for these territories to make sure they grow economically and promote new employment opportunities while enhancing accessibility and connectivity to main economic centers. In particular, it is pivotal to connect these areas to the main EU transport corridors at affordable cost and to guarantee universal broadband coverage in order to avert the risk of depopulation," Mr Strugała added.
