CoR participates in Belgian EU Presidency event on migration

​The European Committee of the Regions told member states of the European Union on 8-9 February that they need to work more collaboratively with regions and cities in order to integrate newcomers effectively into society and the labour market.

The CoR was represented at a high-level policy forum and ministerial conference on the integration of newcomers by EU member states by Antje Grotheer (DE/PES), president of Bremen State Parliament, who has served as the CoR's rapporteur on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum and the EU Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion.

Speaking at events over the two days, Ms Grotheer said that the reception and integration of refugees and migrants, including their integration into the labour market, pose local challenges that require solutions tailored to local realities. Cooperation between all levels of government – from the local to national and European – is needed, with greater financial support for local communities and more scope for them to shape policy.

The forum and conference, which were held in Mechelen, formed part of the official calendar of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and were organised by the government of Flanders to provide an opportunity to bring together national, sub-national and international leaders and policymakers.

Ms Grotheer also met Tània Verge, the Minister of Equality and Feminism for the Government of Catalonia. They discussed cooperation in the Cities and Regions for Integration of Migrants network of the European Committee of the Regions, and the work of the CoR on the inclusion of newcomers to the EU and social cohesion. Catalonia has placed significant emphasis on the inclusion of migrants in the labour market as part of a broader commitment to combating racism.​​

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