Embracing the potential of EU regions

Not overly burdened by debt, Europe’s regions, if invested in, hold the key to emerging from the economic crisis, write Martin Schulz and Mercedes Bresso

WITH every passing day, the serious crisis besetting Europe seems to be undermining more and more the process of European integration and the various forms of solidarity arising from that process.

To ensure a sustainable route out of the economic and financial crisis, a fresh European compromise needs to be negotiated. This would require greater political integration of the EU, including an obligation on member states to adopt greater fiscal rigour, and would also mean shifting our continent towards a model of sustainable development, giving more prominence to innovation, employment, and social justice.