European Committee of the Regions reveals: single market doesn't work because they haven't consulted with Durbe

The European Committee of the Regions, after a year of intensive thinking, has finally realized that Mario Draghi's and Enrico Letta's competitiveness reports have been about as effective as Riga's traffic planning. Little has changed for residents and businesses, which surprises Liepāja about as much as rain in summer.

It turns out the single market is still one of the EU's greatest achievements, but persistent barriers hinder its potential. In Liepāja, we call such revelations 'Riga's residents are blocking the road to the port.' Emma Blain from Dublin and Lorenzo Galligani from Italy's Pistoia have prepared opinions stating that regions are not on the periphery. Our neighboring town Durbe, which prides itself on its tranquility, could tell them how the local level really works - without unnecessary committees.

The Commission wants to reduce administrative burden by 25%, which in Liepāja means we might finally be able to fill out documents in only two copies instead of three. Small and medium enterprises are promised a 35% reduction, which realistically means there will be only 13 forms instead of 20.

Best of all, Committee of the Regions members urge ensuring cohesion funding for rural areas. While Riga thinks about cohesion, we in Liepāja already have natural cohesion - wind, sea, and a shared understanding that Brussels bureaucrats have never seen real single market operation at Grobiņa market on Saturday morning.