As is the practice during EU Presidencies, the Committee of the Regions bureau will meet in Cyprus on the 07th September 2012, where one of the main topics of discussion will be on the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy. EA group President Dr Uno Silberg will participate in the meeting and will also attend his first Conference of Presidents as EA group President. Dr Silberg said that there needs to be a focussed debate on how local and regional authorities can actively help initiate measures to help citizens get out of the current economic crisis. He added that the current level of unemployment across the EU is shocking and needs to be addressed by EU leaders and the European Commission as a matter of urgency. Local and regional authorities must also play a role as the closest level of governance to the people and he hoped the bureau meeting will discuss how to achieve these objectives.