Local self-government is “the most direct channel of communication we have with European societies”, emphasized in his intervention in the Plenary Session of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, the MEP of ND and EPP, Fredis Beleris, during the debate on “The important role of cities and regions in the EU – for green, social and prosperous local development’. As he said, “it is, after all, the municipalities and the regions, which are called to align with the policies that we produce here and they implement”.

He added that “the Local Government is also one of the main pillars of the green transition, in our effort to achieve the goal of zero pollution by 2050, a transition that is fair, sustainable and visible in the everyday life of the citizen”. Therefore, Mr. Beleris continued, “we must support it with all our strength and with every available resource.”

Today, he emphasized at another point in his intervention, “we have set the bar high for our climate ambitions and we must pass it, without injuring the productive and business fabric of our countries”, while, “at the same time”, as he said, “we must let’s put our hands in our pockets as Europe and modernize, where necessary, the infrastructures of Local Government”.

Finally, after emphasizing that it is important to achieve the energy autonomy of communities, especially island and remote areas, as well as their complete digital transformation, he added: “We must not forget that our debt is not to institutions, but to Europeans citizens. They should be the final recipients of our policies. So let’s plan with them for them.”