The federal government is strengthening cooperation to develop rural areas

16.01.2015 14:06

On Wednesday, the Federal Government's "Rural Development" working group was formed under the leadership of the Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Peter Bleser. Other members include the Parliamentary State Secretaries in the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Dr. Günter Krings, in the Federal Ministry of Economics, Iris Gleicke, in the Federal Ministry of Health, Annette Widmann-Mauz, in the Federal Ministry of Construction, Florian Pronold, and in the Federal Ministry of Transport, Dorothee Bär.

With this high-ranking appointment to the working staff, the Federal Government is underlining the priorities agreed in the coalition agreement and strengthening its commitment to the integrated development of rural areas.

The Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Peter Bleser:

“The aim of this working group is to consolidate the various measures taken by the departments for the development of rural areas and to use synergies. However, good development in rural regions cannot be achieved solely through greater coordination of federal measures, but only together with the states, municipalities and local people. The joint task “Agricultural Structure and Coastal Protection” has been an important funding framework for over 40 years. Following on from this, the parties supporting the government decided in the coalition agreement to further develop this instrument into a joint “rural development” task in order to strengthen rural areas.”

The Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr. Günter Krings:

“Demographic change in our country has very different effects on local living conditions and the growth prospects of the regions. The development of rural areas is an essential part of the federal government's demographic policy. That is why the demographic strategy focuses on this. This strategy is led by the Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr. Thomas de Maizière, further developed. Concrete solutions are being developed that will support people in rural areas in shaping their lives.”

The Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Iris Gleicke:

“Structural change, the shortage of skilled workers and the maintenance of adequate services of general interest are increasingly presenting many rural areas with challenges. The joint task of 'improving the regional economic structure' has been further developed in recent years to effectively support structurally weak rural regions in addition to structurally weak cities. In order for them to hold their own in economic competition and at the same time offer attractive living conditions, coordinated cooperation between various policy areas and federal levels is necessary.”

The Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Health, Annette Widmann-Mauz:

“For the Federal Ministry of Health, rural development and in particular ensuring comprehensive medical and nursing care for people in Germany are also important priorities in this legislative period. In order to continue to ensure patient care at a high level, increased efforts are required, particularly in rural areas. This applies, for example, to the working conditions of doctors. The aim must therefore be to improve the framework conditions so that more doctors decide to become rural doctors again.”

The Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Construction Minister, Florian Pronold:

“The diversity of landscapes and the decentralized settlement structure are special characteristics of Germany and part of its economic success story. In order to maintain the appreciation of rural areas even under the conditions of demographic change, it is necessary to sustainably strengthen them as living and economic areas. They also need to be strengthened as natural areas and places of cultural identity, as homes for many people. Environmental and climate protection are necessary elements of precautionary urban development. Building and living must be geared towards ensuring social participation in all phases of life. City and country must complement each other and contribute their specific potential in order to ensure and promote equal living conditions. Our country must regain balance. City and country must not be played off against each other.”

The Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Transport, Dorothee Bär:

“As the Ministry of Regional Planning, we are committed to strengthening rural areas. These regions, as the home of a large proportion of our citizens, must remain attractive places - for living, living, working and relaxing. This includes the comprehensive provision of fast internet or the construction of roads for better access as well as the 'Regional Services Action Program', with which we support model regions in shaping demographic change.”

The federal government representatives emphasized that attractive and vital rural areas are essential for a high quality of life in Germany. The measures mentioned should therefore be pushed forward quickly. The working group has agreed on common priorities in the areas of local supply, economy - work - infrastructure and environment - tourism, in which the federal ministries want to make coordinated progress in the coming months. The task force has also set itself the task of supporting the implementation of the mandate from the coalition agreement, according to which the joint task “Agricultural Structure and Coastal Protection” is to be further developed into a joint task “Rural Development”. According to the constitution, the federal government can participate in the fulfillment of state tasks that are important for the whole if this is necessary to improve living conditions.