The EPP-CoR Group welcomes the statement by President Ursula von der Leyen regarding the structure of the upcoming College of Commissioners.
We strongly support the continued prioritisation of Cohesion as a central pillar of the next Commission's agenda. Cohesion must remain the glue that holds Europe together, and it is essential for ensuring competitiveness, growth and well-being across every region of the continent based on the bottom-up and place-based principles.
In her mission letters to the Commissioner-designates, President von der Leyen emphasised the importance of the new Commission being more present on the ground, frequently engaging with a wider range of regions and cities. She encouraged Commissioners to visit local communities—both urban and rural, including sparsely populated areas—to meet with European citizens and listen to their concerns. Additionally, she called on Commissioners to engage with representatives from regional and local authorities. The EPP-CoR Group fully supports this approach.
For several years, the EPP-CoR Group has been organizing EPP Local Dialogues, bringing together Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, and local and regional leaders—including Presidents of Regions and Mayors—along with citizens to discuss key challenges. We will continue to leverage our members, our network of local councillors, and our young elected politicians to strengthen the bond between Europe and its citizens.
We also welcome President von der Leyen’s commitment to fostering closer collaboration between the European Commission and EU institutions. The EPP-CoR Group looks forward to building on the strong partnerships established in recent years and working closely with the new Commission. We will continue to invite Commissioners to participate in CoR plenary sessions and Commission meetings, where they will engage with local and regional representatives on matters related to their portfolios. This engagement is crucial to ensure that EU legislation is tailored to the realities on the ground. In this regard, the EPP-CoR Group reiterates the necessity of conducting territorial impact assessments before new legislation is proposed.
Building a competitive, decarbonised and circular economy that ensures a fair transition for all can only be achieved through multi-level governance and the active participation of local and regional authorities. The EPP-CoR Group expresses its full support for CoR First Vice-President Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner-designate for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. We are confident that, with his extensive experience, Mr. Tzitzikostas will be able to turn this vision into a reality.