The Conference on the Future of Europe was launched on 9 May. A local dialogue in Strasbourg marked the territorial dimension of the conference, and highlighted that local and regional authorities are essential in taking it beyond Brussels and the European capitals.
On 29 April, the President of the MOT, Christian Dupessey, was received by the French Minister for Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Governments, Jacqueline Gourault. It was an opportunity to address several key topics for the MOT: the “4D Bill” which will include, as confirmed by Ms Gourault, a cross-border component; the French Presidency of the EU during the first half of 2022; as well as the partnerships with the minister’s office, the ANCT and the DGCL (Directorate-General for Local Government).
“The effects of the health crisis are even more evident in cross-border catchment areas like those of Eurodistricts. [...] One essential criterion in cross-border cooperation is the reduction of inequalities, of differences and disparities between territories, given the proximity to citizens’ experiences. Yet, for over a year now, we have been seeing increasing disparities in our cross-border territories.”
These meetings were held on 22 April 2021, organised by the ANCT, with the Minister Jacqueline Gourault and Minister of State Joël Giraud in attendance. All beneficiary towns were invited, and examples of territory projects were presented. Among these, several border towns were highlighted, including Saint-Jean de Maurienne and its valley in Savoie, Bouzonville and Sierck-les-Bains in Moselle, along with Hirson and the Thiérache in Aisne.
This study, conducted for the German Ministry of the Interior by Professor Tobias Chilla, of Erlangen-Nuremberg University, confirms the need to take account of cross-border issues not only at local and European levels, but also at national level. It highlights the MOT for France and the CESCI for Hungary, which enable these two countries to be the most active in the development of their cross-border regions.
“The border had practically been erased”
The Eurodistrict is in the final phase of the process of drawing up its new territorial strategy. The issues it addresses are varied, and in the special context of the pandemic, cross-border cooperation has taken on particular importance, notably in the area of healthcare.
On 24 March, the MOT made a contribution in a webinar of the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT) on cross-border issues, which was facilitated by its director-general, Yves le Breton, and the prefect responsible for cross-border matters, Christian Rock.
Funded by the Interreg programme Alcotra, the "PROSANTE" project is dedicated to the creation of a cross-border healthcare network linking the hospitals in Briançon and Susa on the Franco-Italian border.
This new observatory (French level) presented its preliminary findings at a webinar on 19 March, entitled “What is the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on territories’ economic and social dynamics?”, in which the MOT participated.
In December 2020, under the German presidency of the EU Council, a pilot action of the Territorial Agenda was approved, entitled “A vision for a zero-carbon cross-border functional region”. Its aim is to promote and transpose in other European regions the project “Luxembourg in transition”.
Led by the Lorraine Corridor Metropolitan Pole and the Grand Est Region, on 16 March 2021 the “Grenelle des Mobilités” (“Forum on Mobility”) published a white paper setting out “nine commitments over the next ten years designed to connect Lorraine to its neighbours”.
On 16 March 2021, French Parliament definitively adopted the draft legislation aimed at simplifying and developing local experimentation initiated by territorial authorities.
On 15 March 2021 the 26th Franco-Spanish summit was held in Montauban, the first to be held between the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez. As well as an agreement on recognition of dual nationality and management of the Covid crisis, cross-border issues were at the heart of the discussions.
At the request of the French Federation of Alpine and Mountaineering Clubs, the MOT assisted – between April 2019 and November 2020 – the partners in the Interreg project "ENTREPYR II" in the choice and implementation of a cross-border legal structure to ensure the long-term future of cross-border cooperation regarding mountain shelters in the Pyrenees.
On 28 February, Germany took the decision to restrict crossings at its border for people coming from the Moselle, describing the department as “a zone in which Covid-19 is circulating”.
Climate change doesn’t care about borders and calls for greater solidarity! The Finistère Department and Cornwall County Council have shared values and challenges: regional languages, a Celtic culture, and a strong relationship with the sea and the environment.
Since it came into force on 31 January 2020, the effects of Brexit on the territories oriented towards the Channel are tangible. On both sides, the new procedures for exports are penalising small producers, the fishing and agri-business sectors, as well as the services sector (tourism and hospitality). The economic context linked to the double crisis (Covid and Brexit) is also putting many cross-Channel transport links at risk.
The Greater Region’s Geographical Information System and ATMO Grand Est have joined forces in order to develop an interactive map that makes it possible to check air quality across the whole of the cross-border territory of the Greater Region.
The European Commission has launched a new public consultation on the TEN-T guidelines with respect to transport infrastructure. It is open until 5 May 2021.
In February 2021, the European Committee of the Regions published an opinion entitled “Cross-Border Public Services in Europe”, for which the rapporteur is Pavel Branda (ECR/CZ), Deputy Mayor of Rádlo (Czech Republic).
Regiostars awards are the yearly competition organised by DG REGIO since 2008: it has become the Europe’s label of excellence for EU-funded projects, which demonstrate innovative and inclusive approaches to regional development.
The Recovery and Ecological Transition Contracts (CRTE), announced by Jean Castex on 15 July 2020, set out “a new framework for dialogue with territories”.
