​We endorse a common European approach to tackle the refugee crisis in Europe, as outlined by European Commission's President Jean-Claude Juncker in his State of the European Union address today. We particularly welcome the proposed common EU list of safe countries of origin, for which we called recently.  However, we hope that the role of the regions and local authorities in providing s ... [more]

​Speaking at the EPP Political Assembly that took place at the European Committee of the Regions, President of the EPP/CoR Group Michael Schneider underlined a need for solidarity with migrants and the sharing of responsibility across Europe:"The EPP/CoR Group has extensively debated the problem of migration at CoR's plenary session in July, concentrating primarily on the humanitari ... [more]

​President of the Committee of Regions (CoR) - Markku Markkula - met with European Investment Bank (EIB) President Werner Hoyer in Luxembourg today to discuss joint efforts to enhance private investment and recovery across Europe. "Cooperation between our institutions is of great benefit for the citizens in Europe. Within the European Union, the Committee of Regions has a very goo ... [more]

​Financial instruments are perceived as complimentary to subsidies in fostering territorial development. European regions and cities call for the setting up of an institutional cooperation framework with the European Commission and the European Investments Bank in order to maximize the benefits of implementing instruments financed from the European Structural and Investments Fund, throug ... [more]

​The Energy Union is in full motion, but the contribution and involvement of local and regional authorities is of paramount importance for its success. These were the opening words of Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission Vice-President, during his address to the Committee of the Regions on 8 July. Turning to the legislative contribution to the Energy Union, the Commissioner welcomed the C ... [more]

​EPP Group President Michael Schneider took the floor at the CoR plenary session to stress the need for the Luxembourg Presidency to begin work on the implementation of the Investment Plan for Europe, in reply to the intervention of Dan Kersch, Minister of Interior of Luxembourg. "The Investment Plan offers great potential and local and regional authorities are happy to contribute ... [more]

Addressing the Committee of the Regions Plenary Session on 9 July, Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation made a pledge to "use research and innovation to build cities as nature would have them and as citizens would imagine them." His speech was also an occasion to launch the Second European Capital of Innovation Award: "Today we're launc ... [more]