"Villages, cities and regions is where citizens make their first contact with democracy. My appeal is, that in the next two and a half years, we should step-up our cooperation to show that elected politicians at all levels of governance can work together for the same objective: an authentic European house of democracy with villages, cities and regions serving as the foundations, to respond to calls and challenges that know no border between the European, national, regional and local levels." Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR Group and President of West Pomerania Region (Poland) made these remarks during a debate with Roberta Metsola, 1st Vice-President of the European Parliament who last week was elected as the candidate of the EPP Group in the European Parliament for the election of President of the European Parliament.
Addressing members present at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and others who joined online, MEP Roberta Metsola said "If people are to keep their belief in our project, this must mean engaging actively with all actors on a local, regional, national and European level to bring European decision-making closer to people. In that respect we must cement the links between the European Parliament and the CoR."
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, CoR President and President of Central Macedonia (Greece) told Metsola that her presence at the CoR is consistent with her commitment to work hard to build bridges and bring decision-making closer to people. He remarked "The regional and local level, is the closest to the people, and the most trusted by the European citizens. Only through a bottom-up and a values-based approach, with our values promoted through education and culture, Europe can re-build people’s trust and regain their hearts. So let's work together in partnership, unity and cohesion. Let's build together strong bridges. Let's bring Europe closer to the people."
Markku Markkula, President of the Helsinki Region (Finland) said that the European Parliament is a crucial channel and collaborator for decision makers at the local and regional levels – especially in the green and digital transition. He called for other forms of fruitful collaboration.
Ricardo Rio, Mayor of Braga (Portugal) said that the CoR has a strong added-value in specific areas due to the close proximity with citizens. He added "Roberta Metsola's election as President of the European Parliament may be a turning point in our inter-institutional relations, pushing for better recognition of cities and regions in policy making."
Samuel Azzopardi, President of the Region of Gozo (Malta) said "Roberta Metsola is also the right choice for the European Parliament in the uncertain times we’re living through and will be a beacon of hope for many in seeing that the EU institutions are closer to the European citizens and the challenges they are facing at times on a daily basis."
Birgitta Sacredeus, Member of Dalarna Regional Council (Sweden) outlined that Covid-19 has shown how important it is to work with health issues - outside the national borders. She added that the EU must now implement the recommendations from the EU beating cancer plan.
Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź (Poland) said that only direct cooperation with citizens builds strong political leadership. "We, the CoR members and the members of the European Parliament, must work hard together for the next two and a half years to build a strong, resilient and democratic Europe.”
Nikola Dobroslavic, President of Dubrovnik-Neretva (Croatia) said "There are many challenges that the EU is facing and we expect the necessary cooperation, between these two EU bodies to address them. One of these challenges is enlargement. This enlargement should, as we have emphasised in our opinion, cover all the countries of the Western Balkans, but they must first meet all the criteria for membership."
Michael Murphy, Mayor of the Clonmel Borough District & CoR-ECON Chair (Ireland) spoke on the need of the European Parliament to look more at the CoR and its results as it punches above its weight and to better empower it. "I hope we have an ally to count on here in pushing for a better recognition of multi-level governance at this crucial time for Europe." he concluded
Jelena Drenjanin, EPP-CoR 1st Vice President and Deputy Mayor of Huddinge Municipality (Sweden) said "The low rate of participation of women at the highest levels of politics is an enduring problem, so I am very pleased to see that the EPP family is building political leadership teams that are representative for all our citizens.”
Csaba Borboly, President of Harghita County Council (Romania) said "To bring Europe even closer to the citizens and to communicate it's benefits, we need to intensify our cooperation between the European, national, regional and local levels. Therefore, I call for a stronger cooperation between the European Parliament and the CoR as this will reinforce each other's messages be it on economic recovery, health, climate change, as well as result in a wider outreach to our citizens especially the youth, winning their minds and hearts for Europe."
Rodi Kratsa, Governor of Ionian Islands Region a former 1st Vice-President of the European Parliament said that all regions and cities must have a fair transition toward a green Europe. "My plea to you is to work in achieving a fair transition for all regions and islands. We must not leave anybody behind. What has been done so far is not enough and we need your support for this."