Brdo Joint Statement
on the European Union Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP)
Brdo, 25 January 2016
We, representatives of the National and Regional Governments of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Switzerland,
• COMMIT TO ENSURING the necessary political ownership and leadership demonstrated through the EUSALP General Assembly strategic orientation. We agree to continue the exchange started at Brdo today, to sustain momentum and whenever required, support at the political level;
• AGREE that fully-fledged ownership in the participating States and Regions requires an active commitment by all relevant line ministers and regional bodies; in this respect, the key implementers of the Strategy (notably national coordinators and action group leaders) will be duly empowered and the
conditions established for them to undertake their tasks;
• COMMIT to implementing the EUSALP and invite international, national, regional and local actors as well as stakeholders to contribute to the achievement of the EUSALP objectives. With the support of the European Commission, the partners involved should identify ways to ensure closer coordination with existing activities and programmes in the area.
• APPRECIATE and PRAISE the valuable work carried out by the Steering Committee members and ENCOURAGE them to continue their efficient and dedicated work as Executive Board members;
• MANDATE the Executive Board to supervise and coordinate the translation of the objectives and priorities laid down in the Strategy into concrete actions, and to regularly report to the General Assembly on how this work is proceeding. The Executive Board is also mandated to report on possible
proposals emanating from the Action Groups regarding possible revisions of the priorities laid down in the Strategy;
• CONFIRM that the Action Groups are a prerequisite for effectively implementing the actions of the Strategy and therefore ENDORSE the proposed leadership of the Action Groups;
• ENCOURAGE the Action Groups to use the existing networks in the Alpine Region and capitalise on the results achieved by cooperative projects in the Alpine region;
• EMPHASISE the need for the appointed Action Group Leaders to ensure the strategic coordination of all relevant actors; to effectively cooperate with sectorial ministries in all levels; to actively involve stakeholders from the Alpine Region, including parliaments, regional governments and civil society, and to make the best use of the national, cross-border and Transnational EU Programmes, including for governance and implementation support.
The Launch Conference
of the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP)
Co-organized by the European Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Brdo (Slovenia) on the 25th and 26th of January 2016
The Alps are the most intensely used mountain region of the world. Therefore, the preservation and enjoyment of natural and cultural assets in the area should be at the heart of the Strategy as well as facilitating a sustainable internal and external accessibility. At the same time, the main challenge of the Strategy should be to tackle the economic, social and territorial imbalances existing in the Alpine Region as well as stimulating an innovative and sustainable model of development, which enables the promotion of growth and jobs.
This event brings together the EU Institutions, participating States and Regions and all key players in the governance and implementation of the EUSALP and offers all the main stakeholders the opportunity to express their views and ideas on the best working methods and efficient management of the Strategy.
EU Strategy for the Alpine Region
Close to 400 contributions from citizens, organisations and public authorities were received through public consultations. This consultation, together with the debates and discussions in the Stakeholder Conference on the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region are aimed at supporting the preparation of the future Communication and Action Plan of the Strategy, which the Commission is due to present in June 2015.
The EU Strategy for the Alpine Region will involve 7 countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Switzerland. It will build on the experiences of the already existing macro-regional strategies: the European Strategy for the Danube Region and the European Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.