Invited by the President of Białystok Tadeusz Truskolaski the European Alliance group met to discuss how Cities and Regions can cooperate further with each other. The focus of much of the meeting was ensuring solidarity and further support for the terrible and unjustified war in Ukraine.
Members adopted the Białystok declaration which condemns the Russian Federation's unprovoked attack on Ukraine; expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine; called for more support from the regions and cities of Europe and welcomes the info-support-hub created by the European Committee of the Regions.
President Truskolaski in welcoming members and guests highlighted the need for Regions across the EU to work together in this time of great need. This was reinforced by Cllr Kieran McCarthy who also said he was delighted to finally come to Białystok after two years of cancelled meetings.
Mr Tomasz Frankowski, Member of the European Parliament, expressed his solidarity with Ukraine and gave an overview of European Parliament and EU actions including the sanctions imposed.
Ms Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdansk, President of the CoR's Working Group on Ukraine spoke of the recent visit of the Conference of Presidents to the border with Ukraine, her city's cooperation with Mariupol and the work of the Ukraine working group in the COR.
Mr Constantin Cojocari the Vice-President of CALM (Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova), Mayor of Edineț municipality highlighted what Moldovan local authorities were doing to help refugees and also the worry of Moldovans that the Russian Federation could attack them next.
Mr Tomasz Fijołek, Director of the Bureau of Union of Polish Metropolises presented the latest report on the current situation in Poland.
Mr Paweł Kowal, Member of Polish Parliament and Political scientist from the Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Science. He spoke of the energy crisis; agriculture shortage and also of migration crisis caused by the war. He called for Ukrainian observers to be in the CoR and European Parliament.
Mr Bronius Markauskas, Mayor of the Klaipeda District gave an overview of the help being given by the Lithuanian local government and also highlighted that the Baltic states have been warning of the dangers from Russia since 2014.
Finally, Mr András Szabó, Representative of the Mayor's Office in City Pécs explained the work of Pécs to schooling and hosting refugees from Ukraine.
The members unanimously adopted the Białystok declaration: Cities and Regions in solidarity with Ukraine.