A larger, more cohesive and more competitive EU – the perspective of the European Committee of the Regions

The European Committee of the Regions will on 2-3 April hold the second plenary of its new mandate, with debates focused on economic growth, on the EU's enlargement, and on the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

Raffaele Fitto, the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, will discuss regional development funds’ reprogramming and reforms, while former Italian Prime Minster Enrico Letta will debate his proposals to make the EU more competitive. Members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) will provide a local and regional perspective on growth in a range of critical sectors, through a resolution on the automotive sector and opinions on the EU's emerging Oceans Pact and on agricultural competitiveness. CoR members have also asked for the floor to discuss the potential impact of the United States’ new tariff policy on European agri-food products. 

Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, will discuss EU enlargement with CoR members against a backdrop of significant political unrest in Türkiye and the Western Balkans and amid efforts to create the conditions for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine. CoR members will adopt a resolution on the 'Arrest of Turkish Mayors and the Assault on Local Democracy in Türkiye' and set out their perspective on EU-related reform efforts by countries in the Western Balkans and by Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Türkiye. 

Follow the plenary on the CoR website

 KEY DEBATES

 2 April, 3.05 p.m.: Debate on the Priorities of the Polish Presidency, with Jan Szyszko, State Secretary for Development Funds and Regional Policy. The Presidency's agenda is focused on strengthening European security in all its dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food, and health.

2 April, 4.45 p.m.: EU local matters, with statements by CoR members on the imposition of tariffs on European agricultural goods by the United States and on enhancing connectivity to EU islands.

2 April, 5.30 p.m.: Debate on local and regional perspectives on enlargement, with Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement. The debate will also be an opportunity to reflect on how enlargement affects local life, with contributions by the first joint cross-border European Capital of Culture: Samo Turel, Mayor of Nova Gorica in Slovenia, and Rodolfo Ziberna, Mayor of Gorizia in Italy.

3 April, 9.30 a.m.: Statement by Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms of the European Commission. National ministers on 28 March adopted initial conclusions on cohesion and cohesion policy post-2027.

3 April, 11.45 a.m.: Debate on a place-based approach to competitiveness, with Enrico Letta, former Italian Prime Minister and author of 'Much more than a market', a report commissioned by the EU on the future of the Single Market. Following the debate, CoR members will adopt a resolution on a 'Competitiveness Compass for the EU'.

RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION

• Draft urgent resolution on 'Strengthening the territorial dimension in the implementation of the Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector' (11.00am, 3 April).
• Draft urgent resolution on the 'Arrest of Turkish Mayors and the Assault on Local Democracy in Türkiye' (11.00am, 3 April).
• Draft urgent resolution on a 'Competitiveness Compass for the EU' (12.30am, 3 April).

OPINIONS FOR ADOPTION

• 'Enlargement package 2024 – Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.' Rapporteur: Aleksandra Dulkiewicz (PL/EPP), mayor of Gdańsk.
• 'Enlargement package 2024 - Western Balkans and Türkiye.' Rapporteur: Jean-Luc Vanraes (BE/RE), member of Uccle Municipal Council.
• 'The local and regional perspective in the implementation of the Rule of Law in the European Union.' Rapporteur: Stephen De Ron (LU/Greens) of Hesperange municipal council.
• 'Enhancing EU regional agricultural competitiveness: A comprehensive strategy integrating equitable trade conditions and phytosanitary security.' Rapporteur: Carlos Mazón Guixot (ES/EPP), president of the regional government of Valencia.
• 'Outlook opinion on the EU Oceans Pact.' Rapporteur: Mätta Ivarsson (SE/Greens), member of Skåne Regional Council.

Practical information:

Location: Paul Henri Spaak building – Hemicycle, European Parliament, Brussels

Date: Wednesday, 4 April – Thursday, 3 April 2025.

Background material: The plenary agenda and opinions and amendments.

Webstreaming: On the website of the CoR.

Contact:

PresseCdr@cor.europa.eu