​On 4 July, members of the European Committee of the Regions held a debate with Dr Juliane Bogner-Strauss, Federal Minister for Women, Families and Youth. The debate focused on the priorities of Austria's forthcoming presidency of the Council of the EU which include migration, competitiveness and EU enlargement in the Western Balkans.

Addressing the Minister, EA Group President Mr Karl Vanlouwe highlighted that the protection of EU's borders does not start in the Mediterranean but in the countries from which migrants leave to come to Europe. Therefore, he welcomed the proposed increase in funding for development in the next programming period which should aim to ensure stability and security in the countries of origin and consequently in Europe. However, Mr Vanlouwe added that the integration of legal migrants is equally important as the protection of borders and stressed that European societies should work on making the newcomers their functional members as soon as possible, through language learning and fast integration in the labour market.

Austria took over presidency of the Council of the EU from Bulgaria on 1 July 2018. The country will preside until 31 December 2018 when it will be succeeded by Romania.