Commission responds to European Citizens' Initiative aiming at the recognition of ‘national regions'

The European Commission has published its response to the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) on ‘Cohesion Policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of the regional cultures.'  

The eleventh initiative to receive a formal Commission response. Citizens asked for special attention to be given within the EU's Cohesion Policy to regions with national, ethnic, cultural, religious, or linguistic characteristics that differ from surrounding areas.   

The Commission carefully analyzed the citizens' proposals and concluded that while some proposals fall outside of EU competence, as they would interfere with the existing constitutional setup of the concerned member states, others are already covered under the current Cohesion policy thanks to its robust safeguards promoting inclusion and equal treatment of minorities, as well as the respect for cultural and linguistic diversity.  

Consequently, no new legislation will be proposed in response to this ECI. However, the Commission will continue to ensure non-discriminatory access to Union funding and to monitor as well as support member states' actions to guarantee equal treatment in the implementation of Cohesion policy.  

More information on the Commission's response and on the ECI mechanism is available online.

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