On 8 and 9 April the Plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe met in Strasbourg to debate on the draft proposals of the Conference Working Groups taking into account the input by the European Citizens’ Panels. They moved forward with proposals on the economy, digital transformation, health and education. The plenary also debated EU values and democracy, the bloc’s place in the world and climate change.
During the Plenary session, Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR and President of West Pomerania Region spoke about the pressing need to speed up the green transition, including through more investments in renewable energy, in order to guarantee energy security and reduce Europe's dependency on Russia. He highlighted the urgency of investing in local energy production and promoting local consumption, while building more resilient and sustainable regional and local communities.
Magnus Berntsson, President of the Assembly of European Regions and Vice-President of the Regional Council of Västra Götaland said that "Only by working together with our regions and municipalities and giving them more say in EU climate, energy and environmental policies, we can strengthen the Union's drive towards an environmentally sustainable, green recovery and a fair transition to a net zero future."
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions highlighted the importance of the local and regional level in bringing Europe closer to its citizens. "We, the regionally and locally elected politicians, are 'European politicians' because we make Europe happen on the ground. We bridge citizens and national governments, by listening to them on a daily basis, by implementing European and national laws on the ground and by channeling to the capitals needs arising from local business and civil society."
During his intervention, Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj--Napoca stated "This conference is about the future of Europe. A democratic future of Europe. Unfortunately, we are in front of a new iron curtain on the East side of our continent. We cannot have a long lasting democratic future in Europe without universal access to education and quality investments in Education!"
Jelena Drenjanin, EPP-CoR 1st Vice-President and Vice-mayor of Huddinge Municipality said "Digitalisation measures suggested today will empower and strengthen citizens and equip them with 21st Century skills. When citizens are engaged in building their future, European democracy and economy will benefit and bloom."
During next plenary on the 29th and 30th April, the finalized proposals will be presented and rated in terms of importance in plenary by the different components. The results will be send to the Executive Board of the conference and consolidated in a final report before the 9th May.