In a joint response to the European Commission's postponement of the Water Resilience Initiative, representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the MEP Water Group of the European Parliament (EP) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) sent an open letter to Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, asking the Commission to adopt a comprehensive approach to water and reiterating their call for an EU Blue Deal.

The letter reflects the shared concerns of these institutions regarding the postponement of the Water Resilience Initiative, which they view as a worrying signal regarding the EU's commitment to address Europe's escalating water challenges. The three institutions represent EU civil society, citizens and local governments, respectively.

They propose a holistic and collaborative approach that integrates water into all policies to ensure equitable social access, access for farmers, industries and infrastructure, and the social, economic and environmental aspects of water.

This shift aims to move beyond existing fragmented approaches, fostering a more comprehensive and effective standalone water strategy. This interinstitutional call urges the Commission to continue its work on the Water Resilience Initiative and make water a top EU priority in the upcoming term (2024-2029).

See the full letter here.(gb)