The President of the Government defended in Italy that the European Union needs more than ever to strengthen social and territorial cohesion in order to revive the European project that has shaken in recent years by the economic crisis, the situation of refugees and the lack of solidarity between states.

"Europe needs to strengthen social and territorial cohesion to revive a project shaken by the economic crisis, the reality of migration and the lack of a European spirit," said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke at the opening session of the General Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR), the interregional cooperation body that he presides since September 2014.

At the opening of the works, which run until Friday in Florence, the President of the Government also stressed the importance of the cohesion policy for 2014-2020 in outermost regions, such as the Azores, since it is aimed at the minimisation of the economic, social and territorial differences that still exist within the European Union.

"It is essential that regions coordinate their own territorial strategies for growth and employment with the overall European strategy, thus helping Europe to overcome this period of recession," said Vasco Cordeiro.

With regard to maritime policy, the President of the Government reiterated, before the 300 delegates from 150 European regions, the need for the Union "to do more and better" so that the potential of maritime economy results in growth and development, through a continuous dialogue between regions, the Community institutions and industry players."Smart specialisation strategies are the right tool to ensure that EU funds are used in a way that really meets the needs of so-called 'blue growth' on the islands and in coastal regions, always respecting the principle of subsidiarity," said the President of the Government.

In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro, as President of CPMR, addressed the migration crisis in Europe, pointing out that many regions have been on the "forefront" of their actions, often supporting the integration of immigrants and refugees with their own financial and technical resources.

In this regard, the President of the Government defended that the European Union should recognise the role of regions and involve them in the shaping of European responses, ensuring the necessary flexibility to channel structural and investment funds in order to cope with emergency situations and humanitarian crises, as well as provide new resources for these interventions.

In this first year of presidency of the CPMR, Vasco Cordeiro met with Corina Cretu, Commissioner for Regional Policy, Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science.

This is the 43rd meeting of the CPMR, an inter-regional cooperation organisation that includes 150 Regions from 28 European States, comprising a total of 200 million European citizens.
 
The mission of CPRM is to defend the interests of its members within national and European institutions, through the promotion of territorial cohesion and regional power in Europe as well as through the reinforcement of the peripheral and maritime dimension of the European Union.

Accordingly, this body has conducted extensive effort of policy development and influence with EU institutions, especially with regard to Cohesion Policies, Integrated Maritime Policy, Transport Policy and Macro-regional strategies.

The annual meeting of the general assembly of CPMR is being attended by three hundred delegates: 35 Presidents of European Regions and 95 elected officials from 85 Member Regions.