Controversial pharma package to dominate CoR commission meeting Proposed new rules for regulating the pharmaceutical sector will undermine patient safety, according to a draft opinion from Susanna Haby (SE/EPP), due to be debated at the Committee of the Regions' sustainable development (DEVE) commission meeting on 30 June. Read more >

Think.Act.Change The European People's Party and its Group in the Committee of the Regions have shortlisted ten films from the entries to its 60 second film competition Change begins at home in time for the European Commission's Green Week 2009. The judges, including Isidoro Gottardo President of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions, have expressed their initial pleasure by the quality and originality of the entries, which come from all over Europe. "At a time when we all need to rethink our actions and find ways to better respect the environment, these young people have demonstrated creative and innovative thinking, which could offer help us all in our fight against climate change" he said.  Read more >

PES Group photo competition "Europe in my everyday life": And the winners are... The second edition of the PES Group photo competition for young Europeans (aged 18 to 30), organised under the theme "Europe in my everyday life", has just been concluded. The event has been a huge success with more than 400 photos posted on the PES Group website. Furthermore, a long list of partners have echoed the event around the EU. Read more >

Swedish Presidency tells CoR plenary session: uncertain times will not paralyse the EU As European heads of state and government meet in Brussels to debate Irish guarantees over the Lisbon Treaty and José Manuel Barroso's bid for a second term as European Commission President, the upcoming Swedish Presidency of the EU has told the Committee of the Regions (CoR) that the institutional vacuum left by the uncertainty over the Irish referendum and the changes in the European Parliament and Commission will not be allowed to paralyse the working of the EU. CoR President Luc Van den Brande assured the Swedish Presidency that it could count on the support of the Committee, and local and regional authorities across Europe, to make sure that vital work of the European Union continued unchecked. Read more >

COTER commission gears up for debates on the future of EU transport policy Efficient, integrated, safe and environmentally sound: Visions for the future of the EU transport sector will dominate the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER) meeting on 23 June at the CoR headquarters in Brussels. Under the chairmanship of Michael Schneider (DE/EPP), State Secretary of Saxony-Anhalt, elected regional and local representatives from the EU's 27 Member States will debate two major opinions on trans-European transport networks and rail freight. Read more >

Le Conseil européen donne suite à la demande du CdR pour une stratégie européenne pour la région du Danube – la commission RELEX en arrête les points clés La Commission pour les relations extérieures et la coopération décentralisée du CdR (RELEX) se réunit mercredi 24 juin pour débattre et adopter un avis consacré à l'avenir de cette région. Read more >

CoR scrutinises progress of EU enlargement countries, stresses role of local and regional authorities in accession process Europe's elected regional and local representatives warned against closing the EU's doors to aspiring countries, while firmly requesting further reforms on the ground. By adopting two opinions on the bloc's enlargement strategy, the members of the EU Committee of the Regions (CoR), meeting in their bimonthly plenary session on 17-18 June, also sent a strong decentralisation message to EU candidate countries and hopefuls: as the bulk of EU legislation is implemented by local and regional authorities, they are of crucial importance for making a country "EU-ready". The essential role of sub-national actors in the accession process has to be recognised, and their capacities strengthened accordingly. Read more >

Swedish presidency priorities, development aid and enlargement top CoR plenary agenda Swedish minister for local government Mats Odell set out his country's priorities for its six-month presidency of the EU at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) June Plenary Session in Brussels. Outgoing development commissioner Louis Michel also attended the session to discuss the role of decentralised cooperation between Europe and the developing world. The CoR Plenary also adopted key opinions on the EU's enlargement strategy and resolutions on climate change and the automotive crisis. Read more >

Committee of the Regions: A White Paper to put multilevel governance on the European agenda By adopting a White Paper for the first time in its history, the CoR has given a political signal shortly after the European elections and just before the renewal of the European Commission. As proposed by CoR president Luc Van den Brande (BE/EPP) and first vice-president and Mayor of Dunkirk Michel Delebarre (FR/PES), the White Paper on multilevel governance calls on the EU institutions and Member States to step up the involvement of local and regional authorities in the preparation and implementation of EU policies. Read more >

South-East Europe, developing countries and Copenhagen: the CoR puts regions and cities at the centre of European political debates During this plenary session, and for the first time in the history of the institution, CoR president, Luc Van den Brande (BE/EPP), and first vice-president Michel Delebarre (FR/PES), will present a draft opinion on drawing up a Committee of the Regions' White Paper on multilevel governance. Read more >

European elections: "The key to the EU's democratic strength lies with its citizens and in its cities and regions" Over the last few weeks, Europe has raised its profile. At no time in the last 30 years were the European elections preceded by such a wide-ranging, coordinated and intensive campaign. Voters had the opportunity to choose the kind of Europe they wanted to live in and the future direction they wanted Europe to take. But these elections also reminded us all that Europe starts beyond Brussels, and that the key to the EU's democratic strength lies with its citizens and in its cities and regions. Read more >

Climate change summit must avoid traditional diplomacy game: CoR demands to be heard at COP15 to avoid local and regional authorities being marginalised International climate change negotiations risk relegating the role of local and regional authorities to mere adaptation to the effects of global warming and ignore the many efforts already underway at the local level to tackle its causes, the EU Committee of the Regions (CoR) has warned. Read more >

Klaus Löffler, Head of the European Parliament's Information Office in Berlin Klaus Löffler, Head of the European Parliament's Information Office in Berlin, emphasises the importance of the European elections for the citizens. They can codetermine politics, not only at the local, regional or national level, but also at the European level. Read more >

Jacek Safuta - Head of the European Parliament Information Office in Warsaw He explains how an expected low turnout and its potential effects on the democratic legitimacy of the European Parliament in its next term of office has become an incentive to launch a wide-ranging information campaign aimed at encouraging citizens to vote. Read more >

Richard Kühnel - Head of the European Commission representation in Vienna Richard Kühnel, Head of the European Commission representation in Vienna, underlines the importance of the European elections in times of crisis. Read more >

Alain Barrau - Head of the representation of the European Parliament in France As European elections draw closer, Alain Barrau, head of the representation of the European Parliament in France, comments on the actions taken to mobilize voters. Read more >

Mercedes Bresso – a Europe of peace and harmony Mercedes Bresso, President of the Piedmont Region, invites citizens to vote in the European Parliament elections and continue the project of peace and harmony which Europe stands for. Read more >

Jerzy Zająkała – "Nothing about us without us" Jerzy Zająkała, Mayor of Łubianka, sees participation in the European elections as an expression of support for the European project Read more >

Isidoro Gottardo – Europe needs to be strong Isidoro Gottardo, Member of the Municipal Council of Sacile, feels that citizens should vote in the European Parliament elections. Europe needs the consensus and the active participation of its citizens to make it a strong force in a global economy. Read more >

Michel Delebarre – vote to make Europe stronger Michel Delebarre, Mayor of Dunkerque, recognises the importance for all Europeans to vote in the forthcoming European Parliament elections to influence the future course of Europe. Read more >

Flo Clucas – a Europe of peace, security and stability Flo Clucas, Member of Liverpool City Council, urges Europeans to think about the positive aspects of the EU, which provides prosperity and security as well as peace and stability to all its citizens. Read more >

Johanna Maij-Weggen – We need Europe more than ever! Johanna Maij-Weggen, Queen's Commissioner for the Province of North Brabant in the Netherlands, feels it is important to vote in the June elections to strengthen the partnership between Europe and its regions, particularly in a time of economic and financial crisis. Read more >

Paul O'Donoghue - Have a voice, use your vote! Paul O'Donoghue, Member of Kerry County Council, urges Irish voters to have their voices heard in the European elections and to keep Ireland at the heart of Europe. Read more >

Carlos Manuel Martins do Vale César – a Europe of justice and solidarity Carlos Manuel Martins do Vale César, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, sees the European Parliament as an essential partner in the construction of a Europe of justice and solidarity. Read more >

Kristina Alvendal – Making a difference in Europe Kristina Alvendal, Deputy Mayor of the City of Stockholm, believes that voting in the June European elections is a way for everyone to influence the future of the Union and our own future. Read more >

Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón – Facing the challenges of the 21st Century together Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, Mayor of Madrid, sees a vote in the European elections as a way of continuing the fight against the dangers of the economic crisis. Read more >

Ole Von Beust – Taking part in Europe's future Ole Von Beust, First Mayor of Hamburg, believes that by going to the polls in June's European elections, citizens are actively participating in the process of making decisions which affect everyone directly. Read more >

Jef Gabriels – Europe is bringing people together Jef Gabriels, the Mayor of Genk, urges citizens to use their votes in the June European elections to ensure that small countries, such as Belgium, continue to be properly represented at European level. Read more >

Pavel Bém - Join in the Democratic process Pavel Bém, Lord Mayor of the city of Prague, urges Czech citizens to vote in the forthcoming European elections and to actively play their part in the democratic process. Read more >

EC pharmaceutical proposals putting patients at risk, warns CoR rapporteur Proposals for updating the rules governing the authorisation and safety of medicines, tackling counterfeit drugs and improving information to patients are biased in favour of pharmaceutical companies and would put consumers at risk, according to Susanna Haby (SE/EPP), member of the executive committee of the city of Gothenburg and Committee of the Regions (CoR) rapporteur on the so-called 'pharmaceutical package'. Read more >

9 May: Cities and regions celebrate Europe, from Brussels to Santiago de Campostela Saturday 9 May is the Festival of Europe. To celebrate this event, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and its president, Luc Van den Brande , are opening the Jacques Delors building, the CoR's premises in Brussels, to the public. But that is not all: celebrations are being held in European regions and cities too, which will be decked out in European colours for the occasion. Read more >

Structured Dialogue with Joe Borg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs On Monday 29 June Luc van den Brande chairs a Structured Dialogue meeting with Joe Borg, Commissioner responsible for Fisheries and Maritime Affaires. Commissioner Borg will present the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and discuss it with representatives of associations of local and regional authorities and members of the Committee of the Regions (CoR). Read more >

Alain Rousset – A vote for Europe is a vote for solidarity! Alain Rousset, President of the Aquitaine Regional Council, believes that citizens should exercise their right to vote in the June elections to show solidarity during these difficult economic times, as well as to ensure continuing social justice for everyone. Read more >

Irene Oldfather – The right to vote is a right people fought and died for! Irene Oldfather, Member of the Scottish Parliament, sees the casting of votes in the forthcoming European elections as a continuation of the democratic principles which previous generations fought, and sometimes died, to uphold. Read more >

Commission CONST - Les élus locaux et régionaux, examinent les propositions de la Commission en matière de Liberté, Sécurité et Justice et font le point sur les résultats des récentes élections européennes. Vendredi 26 juin, la réunion de la Commission pour les affaires constitutionnelles de la gouvernance européenne et de l'espace de liberté, de sécurité et de justice (CONST) du CdR, s'intéressera aux perspectives dessinées par la Commission européenne pour l'espace de Liberté, Sécurité et de Justice pour les cinq ans à venir ("Programme de Stockholm"). Read more >

Michael Häupl - European Parliament and Cities in Partnership Michael Häupl, Mayor of Vienna, is keen for European cities to work in close partnership with the European Parliament to encourage the sharing of power and to ensure that citizens have a voice at European level. Read more >

Mr Delebarre at the Bundesrat: Europe is more than the sum of the national governments To mark its 60th anniversary, the German Bundesrat held a Federalism Symposium in Saarbrücken on 24 and 25 June at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Saarland and current President of the Bundesrat, Peter Müller. The guest speakers were the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and EU Commission President, José Manual Barroso.Michel Delebarre, First Vice-President of the EU Committee of the Regions and mayor of Dunkirk (FR/PES), reviewed the first 15 years of the CoR and, in the light of the current challenges facing Europe, called for the EU to be seen as more than the sum of the national governments. Read more >

In support of a "Europe of encounters": CoR rapporteur Reinhart speaks to us about the EU's Danube strategy On 24 June, regional and local policy makers, as well as experts from all around Europe, expressed their views on the planned EU strategy for the Danube area at a meeting of the Committee of the Regions' (CoR) RELEX Commission on external relations. In the interview below, Wolfgang Reinhart, the CoR's rapporteur and Minister for Federal and European Affairs of the Land of Baden-Württemberg (EPP/AT) explains the aims of the project and its importance for the public, the regions and the cities in the Danube area. Read more >

More money at regional level to fight the crisis: CoR supports European Commission move to relax EU social fund rules Luc Van den Brande, President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), welcomed Commission plans, unveiled today, to relax co-financing requirements for the European Social Fund. Emphasising the great efforts of Europe's regions and cities in fighting the crisis, he stressed that they cannot shoulder the financial burden alone. By boosting training and employment projects, today's proposal would stimulate the economy and safeguard jobs without further burdening the strained public finances of EU Member States and regions in times of crisis. Read more >

A seminar on the Eastern Partnership highlights the commitment of local and regional representatives On Wednesday, 3 June, the Commission for External Relations and Decentralised Cooperation (RELEX) of the EU Committee of the Regions (CoR) is bringing together elected local politicians, institutional representatives and academics from across Europe for a seminar in Košice on the local and regional dimension of the Eastern Partnership. This day of discussion and debate comes in the wake of the initiative's launch on 7 May by the heads of state or government of the 27 EU Member States, their counterparts from Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, and representatives of the European institutions, including CoR president Luc Van den Brande. The seminar will prepare the ground for the Forum on the Eastern Partnership being organised by the CoR in Brussels on 16 and 17 June. Read more >

CoR DEVE commission meets in Baia Mare to discuss the environment, sustainable development and urban regeneration Over 100 participants, including mayors and European regional presidents, members of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), took part in a seminar on Environment and sustainability strategies for urban regeneration on 29 May 2009 at the Millennium III Business Centre in Baia Mare; the seminar was organised by the CoR and Baia Mare municipal council, in conjunction with the Romanian Municipalities Association (AMR). Read more >