​​​​​​Rural areas play a critical role in economic and social cohesion, in regions' resilience, and in the contribution of countless services from various local ecosystems, including food production. To ensure that rural areas can continue to play these essential roles, the European Commission published on 30 June 2021 a communication setting out a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas up to 2040. It identifies areas of action towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas and communities. This vision includes a Rural Pact that will mobilise public authorities and stakeholders to act on the needs and aspirations of rural residents. During the online public thematic debate organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) EESC NAT Section on Insights for the implementation of the Rural Pact towards a sustainable rural/urban development on Wednesday 9 February 2022, Cllr Enda Stenson presented the CoR position on this subject. During his speech, Cllr Stenson recalled the principles known as the three E's that we are aiming at to achieve true cohesion for rural and urban territories alike: Equivalent living standards for the rural and the urban, which should be included as a basic principle in all European policies; Equal rights for all, whether they live in cities or in rural areas (ref. Charter of Fundamental Rights); Equity in means and practices across all players and territories, in particular making use of exchanges and shared competencies to compensate for the specific needs of rural territories.​