Region Västra Götaland follows, replies to and comments on communications and green and white books before proposed legislation is put forward by the Commission. Region Västra Götaland also comments on documents and proposals circulated by the Swedish Government when the opportunity is given.
For more information about Region Västra Götaland’s responses to European consultations, please contact the International Coordination Unit. See the left menu for contact details.
Response of Region Västra Götaland
to the public consultation on the fifth report on cohesion
January 2011
The Fifth Cohesion Report is a mid-term evaluation of EU:s current regional policy, with recommendations for the next budget period from 2014. Region Västra Götaland has responded to the questions in the report.
Download Response of Region Västra Götaland to the public consultation on the fifth report on cohesion
Towards a new Energy Strategy for Europe 2011-2020
July 2010
Consultation: Towards a new Energy Strategy for Europe 2011-2020
The EU Commission has carried out a public consultation on a new energy strategy for 2011-2020. Region Västra Götalands' response was formulated in July 2010 by officers at the Environmental Development Secretariat. It is based on the climate strategy for Västra Götaland and contains a description of the region's climate and energy work, along with opinions and comments on the consultation, the so called Stock Taking Document from the Commission. In particular the response underlines that all energy work should stick to the following order of priority:
- Improved energy efficiency (to reduce the need for energy).
- Replace fossil energy sources with renewable energy sources.
- Increase the share of regional/local renewable energy sources.
Region Västra Götaland basically agrees with the Commission's calculations of the potential of financial savings and job creation connected with a successful implementation of ambitious energy policies. Further more, Region Västra Götaland agrees strongly that cities and regions play a key role in developing local integrated solutions. The European Council is expected to formally adopt the new strategy in March 2011.
Consultation on the future "EU2020" Strategy
December 2009
Consultation on the future EU2020 Strategy (english)
Region Västra Götaland welcome that EU2020 will focus on the major, collective European challenges – competitiveness/attractiveness, energy/climate, demography/immigration and participation. The Region is critical to the regions and regional policy role in the implementation of the strategy is not mentioned clearly enough. The current global crises emphasise the importance of good governance at all levels and collaboration based on trust and mutual dependency between different decision-making levels.
Finally culture and heath are two sectors which should be more clearly recognised in a European development strategy. Culture contributes significantly to the creative and innovative social climate that Europe needs. Healthcare and medical services is a knowledge-based sector with strong growth potential.
The Committee of the Region's
white paper on Multilevel Governance
December 2009
Pronouncements on white paper - Multilevel Governance (swedish)
The importance of good governance at all levels can not be stressed enough. In a multi-level governance is a good synergy between the different decision levels centrally. Subsidiary is the basis for the division of responsibilities between the different levels which means that issues about the society are best dealt with close inhabitant. The Regional Executive Board points out that the local and regional levels need to play a central role in the EU's strategy for jobs and growth. For it is at local and regional level the realization and implementation takes place.
Take note of the pronouncement via the link above where also several good examples of collaboration at the local / regional level are highlighted.
The EU’s Innovation Policy
November 2009
Pronouncement on EU´s Innovation Policy (english)
The Regional Executive Board of Region Västra Götaland welcomes a revision of EU’s future innovation policy after 2010 and emphasises among other things the need to support small and medium-size enterprises and make research and development more accessible to them. A more effective innovation policy also requires a clearer dialogue and meeting-place between regions, member states and the EU’s institutions. The importance of the regional dimension is also emphasised as a growth engine with strong partnerships in trade and industry, the public sector, industry, and research.
Pronouncement on the Lisbon Strategy
May 2009
Pronouncement on the Lisbon Strategy (swedish)
The Committee of the Regions has begun consultations with local and regional authorities in Europe concerning the future of the strategy for growth and employment after 2010. The Regional Executive Board has issued its pronouncement according to the proposal made by the drafting committee for regional development in May 2009.
The Lisbon strategy has played a minor role in the policies pursued in Sweden’s regions, largely because it is too general and therefore lacks priorities. Region Västra Götaland is positive to a new strategy but urges a focus on shared European challenges like competitiveness/attractiveness, energy/climate, demographics/immigration, and participation.
Green Book on revision of the
Transeuropean Transport Network Policy
April 2009
Pronouncement on the revision of the transeuropean transport network policy, TEN-T (swedish)
The European transport network is an important prerequisite for a functioning European market and sustainable growth. The Commission has begun a review of the TEN-T strategy. Region Västra Götaland is Sweden’s foremost transport region as regards the size of the flows of goods that are transported to and from the region and pass through it as transit traffic. Our starting point is to develop transport systems with the ambition to promote greater growth and a better environment. Read the Regional Executive Board’s pronouncement of April 2009.
Green Book on Territorial Cohesion
February 2009
Comments on green book on Teritorial Cohesion (swedish)
In October 2008 the European Commission presented its Green Book on Territorial Cohesion with the aim of promoting discussion and debate on how the EU and its member states and regions can be developed and strengthened. In consultation with the municipalities in the region, Region Västra Götaland drew up a pronouncement on the Green Book in February 2009. The pronouncement welcomes, among other things, the concretisation of what territorial cohesion means. It also emphasises the fact that the cohesion policy is to a great extent created and implemented at the regional and local level.
The Baltic Sea Region Strategy
December 2008
The Baltic Sea strategy- a regional pronouncement (swedish)
During 2009, the EU will adopt a strategy to handle the challenges that the Baltic Sea Region faces more effectively. Västra Götaland is in many respects a part of the Baltic Sea Region. In December 2008, The Regional Executive Board replied to the Commission’s consultation, emphasising Västra Götaland’s role in, among other things, transport systems and environmental work around the Baltic Sea.
The Trans-European Transport Networks
April 2008
Pronouncment on Trans- European transportnetwork (swedish)
The guidelines for Trans-European Networks-Transport (TEN-T) were revised in 2004. The Commission has begun work on a new revision of the guidelines. The Government has directed the National Rail Administration, among others, to draw up the bases for this revision. The international connection is of fundamental importance to Region Västra Götaland’s development of its transport systems. The Regional Executive Board replied to the request for comment in April 208.
Response to the EU’s Budget Consultation
March 2008
Region Västra Götaland´s comments on EU´ budget consultation (swedish)
In March 2008 the Regional Executive Board replied to the Commission’s consultation on the EU’s budget review. The pronouncement will constitute a starting point for Region Västra Götaland’s future monitoring of its interests regarding this issue.
The European Union’s
Green Book on a Common Maritime Policy
May 2007
Comments on EU:s green book on a Common Maritime Policy (english)
Region Västra Götaland’s pronouncement has been developed in broad, active dialogue with the maritime sector in western Sweden. The pronouncement contains a description of the maritime sector in western Sweden and a comment containing views on the EU’s Green Book. The aim is to show the concrete relevance of a common policy and strategy for the maritime area. The Regional Executive Board submitted its reply in May 2007.
Pronouncement on request for
comment concerning the Treaty of Lisbon
March 2007
Pronouncement on the Treaty on Lisbon (swedish)
In order for the Treaty of Lisbon to come into force, it was required to be ratified by all the Member States of the European Union. In Sweden, the Riksdag makes this decision. At the end of 2007, the Prime Minister’s Office circulated the proposal for comment. On 18 March 2008, the Regional Executive Board decided to endorse a pronouncement approving the proposal. The pronouncement also emphasises the importance of local and regional representation in the EU and a place in the consulting process.