During today's Group meeting, the EPP-CoR Group thanked Michael Schneider, State Secretary, Representative of the Land of Saxony-Anhalt to the Federal Government who's mandate at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has come to an end.
Olgierd Geblewicz, President EPP-CoR Group and President of West Pomerania Region said "For 10 years, from 2010 to 2020, Michael has been an excellent president of our Group. Many of us have started the mandate in the CoR under his leadership. We had the chance to experience his determination to make the EPP-CoR even stronger and more united."
Michael Schneider said that Cohesion policy was the main focus of his tenure, and it has greatly developed. "We achieved results by working together and being able to take unanimous decisions at important moments."
Jelena Drenjanin, EPP-CoR 1st vice-president thanked Schneider for the work done at the CoR and in the EPP-CoR Group, for being a respectful, honest President and for his inclusive approach.
Marek Woźniak, President of Wielkopolska Region thanked Schneider for understanding the perspectives and points of view of others.
Nikola Dobroslavić, President of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County thanked Schneider for defending the principles of subsidiarity and cohesion policy.
Adam Struzik, President of the Mazovia Region lauded Schnieder for his work to link European policy with local and regional aspects as well as for understanding the challenges of regions.
Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo said that Schnieder worked tirelessly to defend cohesion policy, to increase the role of cities and regions in decision making and to engage citizens in European democracy.
From his end Mark Speich, Secretary of State for Federal, European and International Affairs (North Rhine-Westphalia) said that Schnieder played an important role to safeguard subsidiarity and that the role of the CoR in the Conference on the Future of Europe is also thanks to his achievements.
During the Group meeting, the EPP-CoR Group also thanked Mark Weinmeister, Secretary of State for European Affairs, Land of Hesse as his mandate too comes to an end. Addressing the group meeting, Weinmeister said "The European idea is the best idea we have had in the last century and we must strengthen it and foster it. We must continue fighting for our European ideas of democracy, peace and economic sustainability."