“Common strategies, better coordination with all key players and continued transnational and cross-border cooperation would have enabled more effective response to the crisis.” - Joke Schauvliege European Committee of the Regions rapporteur on the opinion ‘Experiences and lessons learned by regions and cities during the coronavirus crisis’ made these remarks during an exchange of views on the opinion. Schauvliege said that this opinion is a chance to involve networks and stakeholders including networks of cities, regions and rural areas to. The opinion can provide a picture of the reality on the ground and offer feedback to the EU and the national level of the challenges that need to be addressed.
Schauvliege who is a Member of the Flemish Parliament added that Europe’s recovery from the crisis needs to be based on the lessons learned from all levels of governance including those closer to the citizens and therefore, villages, cities and regions. Schauvliege went to explain the content of the outlook opinion saying that it will focus specifically on the impact of the pandemic on the economy, socio-digital spheres and other relevant policies for rural areas.