Poznan, 25 April 2014

The EPP candidate for President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker was in Poznan on 25 April to participate in a summit of regional and local political leaders organised by the Group of the European People’s Party in the Committee of the Regions, which was attended by hundreds of European mayors.

Jean-Claude Juncker delivered a keynote speech in front of the attendants. On the role of local level governments in the EU, he said: “I want a European Union that is bigger on big things and smaller on small things. I want a European Union that only assumes responsibility in areas in which it can really improve our lives. All other policy areas shall be left to national, or preferably regional or local leaders to decide. You are closest to the people, you know their needs and you are the best placed to answer most of their concerns.”

On the issue of European cohesion policy, Jean-Claude Juncker said: “Cohesion policy helps us to become more competitive and to reduce disparities between Europe’s regions… As President of the European Commission I will work to preserve the specificity of each region, but I want us to be united around the goal of becoming more competitive, of strengthening the European economy and making Europe the most attractive place to invest in.”

The full speech can be read here.

During the event, the EPP candidate met with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and both leaders later held a joint press conference in which Jean-Claude Juncker highlighted the work of Mr Tusk’s government in keeping Poland growing even at the height of the financial crisis. Prime Minister Tusk showed his strong support for Jean-Claude Juncker to become the next President of the European Commission.

Pictures of the visit are available for download royalty-free on Jean-Claude Juncker’s Flickr account here.