​On 13 July the COTER commission held a debate in the presence of the EP REGI committee Chair Ms Mihaylova where members debated about topics of common interest such as the implementation and simplification of cohesion policy, cross border cooperation, the EU Urban Agenda.

Mr Kieran McCarthy, EA acting coordinator for the meeting,  thanked the EP Chair for recognising the expertise and knowledge of the COR representatives who provide a lot of information from the ground, and called for a joint plan defining common priorities to be agreed upon at the next COTER –REGI meeting in October.

During the meeting the Coter commission adopted an opinion on financial instruments supporting territorial development and discussed the EU 2016 Draft budget, rapporteur the EA member Uno Silberg, in presence of MEP Fernandes and Director General of DG Budget, Ms Calvino.