On 9 June the European Alliance Group met in Ciugud, Romania to discuss EU policies for rural development and cohesion in the EU, upon invitation of Gheorghe Dãmian, Mayor of Ciugud.
Members adopted the Ciugud declaration which calls on the EU to promote smart villages and more ambitious rural development policies in order to achieve balanced territorial development and greater cohesion across the EU.
President of the EA Group Karl Vanlouwe, praised Mayor Dãmian for his outstanding leadership in transforming Ciugud in a truly smart and modern village with the support of EU funds.
Ciugud is certainly a best practice of European Smart Village and example of the benefits EU funding can bring to rural communities improving quality of life of the citizens and the EU should continue to supporting them and make sure they remain attractive place to live and work.
Mayor Dãmian said: We were honoured to host these days members of the European Alliance Group, mayors and elected politicians, representing rural communities across the European Union. The future of the European Union cannot exist without the European village, and the future of the European village depends on the measures and public policies of the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament. In everything we do, no matter what decision-making level we are at, we must remain UNITED, as Jean Monnet said: “Go on, go on, there is no future for the peoples of Europe except in union”.
Delegates also visited smart schools which were the envy of many participants and also local business.
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Ciugud Declaration ‘The EU Village as a basis of cohesion and development in the EU’
