The European Commission has published its formal response to the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) “Cohesion Policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of the regional cultures.”
This initiative has a strong Hungarian relevance, as key members of the organizing committee are Hungarian public figures from Transylvania. The official representative of the initiative is Árpád Balázs Izsák, President of the Szekler National Council, while the substitute is Attila Dabis. The other members of the committee are Roland Rolf Dudda, Andreas Schmaltz, Péter Őry, Franciscus Albert Bernardus Jeursen, and Jordi Xuclà Costa.
This is the eleventh initiative to reach this stage. The ECI called for special attention within EU Cohesion Policy to be given to regions with unique national, ethnic, cultural, religious, or linguistic characteristics.
After a thorough assessment, the Commission concluded that:
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Certain proposals lie outside EU competence, as they would interfere with the constitutional structures of Member States.
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Other concerns are already addressed under existing Cohesion Policy rules, which include strong safeguards for inclusion, equal treatment of minorities, and respect for cultural and linguistic diversity.
No new legislation will be proposed.
The Commission will, however, continue to ensure equal and non-discriminatory access to EU funding, while monitoring and supporting Member States in applying Cohesion Policy fairly.
More details on the Commission’s response and the ECI mechanism are available here.
