Europe's competitiveness will depend on its ability to strengthen connectivity, support industrial transformation and develop sustainable tourism together with its cities and regions, members of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) stressed during an exchange of views with European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, ahead of the July plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions.
The discussion brought together regional and local leaders from across Europe to debate the future of transport, tourism, industrial competitiveness and territorial cohesion. Members highlighted that Europe can only remain competitive by investing in strategic infrastructure, recognising the diversity of its territories and placing local and regional authorities at the heart of policy design and implementation.
Opening the exchange, Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas underlined the essential role of regions and cities in delivering Europe's ambitions. "Europe succeeds only when its regions succeed. It is through regions and cities that Europe strengthens not only its voice, but also its presence on the ground. This is the message we must continue to carry: European policies only become real when they reach territories, communities and citizens."
He stressed that competitiveness must deliver tangible benefits across every part of Europe. "Competitiveness is not an abstract concept. It means cities and regions creating jobs in ports, factories, tourist destinations and industrial clusters. It means sustainable growth, quality employment and long-term prosperity that citizens can feel in their daily lives, no matter whether their region is industrial, maritime, rural, touristic or a gateway to Europe."
Transport and connectivity featured prominently throughout the discussion. Franck Proust, Municipal Councillor of Nîmes, France, called for greater recognition of regional airports as strategic assets for territorial cohesion. "Regional airports are essential infrastructure for territorial cohesion, ensuring connectivity, mobility and equal opportunities for all regions, particularly those that are remote or less accessible." He added: "Regional airports are much more than transport hubs. They are lifelines for local economies, tourism, industry and territorial cohesion. EU policies must recognise their real value by looking beyond passenger numbers and embracing their wider economic and social impact."
Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, Portugal, highlighted the importance of completing strategic cross-border transport links. "Transport is politics: connectivity changes lives, connects territories and brings Europe closer to its citizens. Connecting Lisbon and Madrid by high-speed rail would be a major step forward — not only for Portugal and Spain, but for European connectivity as a whole."
Members also stressed that Europe's industrial competitiveness must be built with its regions. Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, raised concerns about the future of Europe's automotive regions, asking how cities and regions will be involved in the forthcoming Automotive Action Plan and Industrial Acceleration Plan. He stressed that regional authorities expect to become genuine partners in designing and implementing Europe's industrial transition while protecting local economies, industries and jobs.
Roberto Pella, Mayor of Valdengo, Italy, underlined the importance of territorial value chains and regional industrial ecosystems. "Europe's competitiveness depends on strong territorial value chains, strategic ports and tourism that reaches beyond major cities. Regions must be fully involved in shaping industrial transitions, supporting jobs and ensuring that sectors such as automotive, Mediterranean ports and cycle tourism create opportunities not only for big urban centres, but also for rural, inland and local communities."
Tourism emerged as another central theme, with members calling for a balanced European approach that supports economic growth while protecting local communities and natural resources. Nikola Dobroslavić, former Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Croatia, highlighted three priorities for the Commissioner's mandate: improving Mediterranean connectivity, addressing overtourism and strengthening tourism's resilience to climate change.
Dimitrios Kafantaris, Municipal Councillor of Pylos-Nestoros, Greece, called for a genuine European dialogue on tourism governance, asking how destinations can better assess sustainable visitor numbers and territorial carrying capacity.
Jesús Ángel Garrido Martínez, Director General for Funds and Relations with the European Union, Government of La Rioja, Spain, highlighted the potential of wine tourism to strengthen links between urban and rural areas. "Wine tourism routes can help connect Europe's cities with surrounding rural and wine-producing regions, enriching the visitor experience while creating new opportunities for rural development."
Stefan Schnöll, Deputy Governor of Salzburg, Austria, stressed the importance of maintaining public support for tourism. "Resident rates are an important tool to keep tourism sustainable and socially accepted. In regions such as Tyrol, where tourism is essential but also sensitive for local communities, Europe must help ensure that visitors are welcomed while residents continue to feel respected and protected."
José Enrique Millo Rocher, Secretary General for External Action, European Union and Cooperation, Government of Andalusia, Spain, argued that Europe's transition should remain technology-neutral while investing more in tourism innovation. "The future of mobility must remain technology-neutral. Our common goal is decarbonisation, achieved through a balanced mix of clean energy solutions rather than relying on a single technology. At the same time, Europe has a unique opportunity to strengthen its tourism leadership by investing in innovation, data and skills, including through initiatives such as the future European Tourism Competence Centre."
Reflecting on the role of the European Committee of the Regions, Jelena Drenjanin, Municipal Councillor of Huddinge Municipality, Sweden, and Chair of the EPP-CoR Working Group on Türkiye, welcomed Commissioner Tzitzikostas' longstanding commitment to the institution and invited him to share his vision for strengthening the Committee's advisory role and increasing the contribution of local and regional representatives to European policymaking.
Concluding the discussion, Commissioner Tzitzikostas reaffirmed that Europe's future competitiveness must be built together with its regions and cities. "Regions and cities are indispensable to Europe. They are the first to face the challenges, the ones who best understand the real needs of people, and very often the first to deliver European solutions. A more competitive, resilient, connected and citizen-centred Europe can only be built together with local and regional authorities."
Background
The exchange of views took place during the meeting of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions ahead of the July 2026 plenary session. Discussions focused on the contribution of Europe's cities and regions to transport, tourism, industrial competitiveness and territorial cohesion, as well as the role local and regional authorities will play in implementing forthcoming European initiatives, including the Automotive Action Plan, the Industrial Acceleration Plan and future policies on sustainable transport and tourism.