European Regions Unite to Pressure EU on Demographic Challenges
The Minister for the Environment, Housing and Land Management of the Junta de Castilla y León, Juan Carlos Suárez-Quiñones, met with counterparts from various European regions to discuss the need for the European Commission to take a more proactive approach to addressing demographic challenges and depopulation.
Regional Representatives Discuss Demographic Challenges
The meeting, held at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, aimed to influence the next European Commission to "take the bull by the horns" in addressing demographic challenges. Regional representatives discussed a report that will be presented in November to the next Community executive, highlighting the "demands" and "priorities" that must "preside over" Cohesion policies promoted by the European Commission and the European Union.
Criticism of EU’s Handling of Demographic Challenges
The Council for the Environment, Housing and Land Use Planning criticized the lack of progress in policies to alleviate demographic and depopulation challenges in recent years. Suárez-Quiñones urged Brussels not to limit itself to approving Community Cohesion funds, but to "insert" these measures into everything the European Commission and the European Union do.
Regions Willing to Support EU Policies
The Minister for the Environment, Housing and Land Management stressed that the willingness of regions affected by depopulation and ageing to support EU policies through an opinion is nothing new. However, he regretted that the situation has not changed much, citing the President of the Junta’s similar opinion in 2016.
Castilla y León’s Positive Experience
Suárez-Quiñones praised the work of his executive in recent years, highlighting that Castilla y León has been gaining inhabitants since 2022, despite the low birth rate and high mortality. He attributed this to various measures, including improvements in infrastructure, investments in education and health, and policies to attract talent.
EU’s New Commission Expected to Address Demographic Challenges
The meeting was attended by the 25 regions of the European Union and seven countries, including Germany and Spain. Suárez-Quiñones urged the new European Commission, expected to be formed next autumn, to have a vice-presidency for Cohesion to coordinate executive policies addressing demographic and depopulation challenges.
