“The Congress and the Assembly of European Regions (AER), its statutory partner, share a long history of close cooperation, and there is a great potential for synergies in our action,” stated Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of the Congress’ Chamber of Regions, addressing the AER General Assembly on 23 May 2018 in Lillehammer, Norway. She welcomed the renewed momentum in the long-standing partnership between the two bodies, recalling that many AER members were represented in the Congress and actively participated in its work. “We can also increase synergies by having representatives in our respective leadership structures, and I would be happy to see political representatives from AER member regions stand for elections to the Bureau of the Chamber of Regions in November 2018,” she said.”
Gunn Marit Helgesen supported AER’s position that inter-regional cooperation and best practice exchange were paramount to strengthening a democratic Europe where citizens are meaningfully engaged in decision making and problem solving, against the challenges of rising populism and radicalisation, the increased migration and the need for greater integration and territorial solidarity.
“European institutions and associations representing regional authorities have to work together for a common objective: building a more inclusive Europe and more direct co-operation between regional communities,” she concluded.
