The President of the Government defended in Greece that regional power is what best ensures the effective implementation of European policies in Regions, with clear benefits to the citizens of these territories.

"I believe that the level of regional and Autonomy are essential to effectively implement the cohesion policy as well as all European policies, which will help us to make the best choices for our citizens," said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke Friday at the opening of the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) that was held on the island of Crete.

Vasco Cordeiro was elected President of CPMR in September 2014, an interregional cooperation body that is made up of 150 regions and 28 Member-States, encompassing nearly 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.

In his speech, the President of the Government advocated a fair balance between the levels of European, national and regional power to ensure that Regions will have the possibility to choose the measures and policies that best serve their populations.

Pointing to the example of the Regional Policy, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that structural and investment funds are still an effective way to create growth, employment and development opportunities in Europe and that Regions must play a key role in their implementation.

The President of the Government also highlighted the 300-billion Euro investment plan presented by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, restating the need to develop investment opportunities in European regions.

Earlier this year, Vasco Cordeiro, as President of the CPMR, defended an active role of the Regions in the implementation of the so-called Juncker Plan so that the measures included the document presented by the European Commission can result in economic growth and job creation in Outermost regions.

"The European Commission has responded to our concerns, but we must remain vigilant and active," alerted Vasco Cordeiro, who also participated in a panel on Cohesion Policy that was held under the meeting of the Political Commission of CPMR.