The first Plenary Session of the year will begin with a statement from Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, reflecting on the internal and external challenges to Europe from a Member State perspective. He is expected to repeat his call on Europe's regions and cities for support, following his video message on migration that was played during the December Plenary Session where he said: "It is regional authorities and local communities that deal directly with the migrant influx to Europe. The Committee of the Regions can help by exchanging the best ideas on integration, as it is only communities and newcomers working together that can achieve successful integration." He will also report back from the COP 21 and highlight proposals with a local and regional dimension in regards to climate action.
Ronald Plasterk, Dutch Minister of Interior and Kingdom Relations, will address the Plenary Session on behalf of the Dutch Presidency of the European Council. Topics are set to include the Urban Agenda, which is the topic for a COR Forum in Amsterdam on 30 May 2016, and Better Regulation.
Addressing the Plenary Session, Corina Creţu, Commissioner on Regional Policy, is expected to present her key priorities for 2016 related to the implementation of the 2014-2020 programming period as well as to the current and future evolution of Cohesion Policy. The need to simplify the implementation of Cohesion Policy is a recurring issue that is repeatedly highlighted by the EPP Group in the CoR, who have first-hand experience with the implementation of the Structural and Investment Funds.
The first new initiative announced by the European Commission in its work programme for 2016 is a New Skills Agenda for Europe. Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner on Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport, is expected to outline some of the proposals at the Plenary Session. This proposal is due later in the year and aims at promoting skills development, including the mutual recognition of qualifications, supporting vocational training and higher education and reaping the full potential of digital jobs.
There are 2 EPP-led opinions on the agenda:
