Regions and cities team-up with the European Council to deliver the EU Strategic Agenda on the ground

The President of the European Council, António Costa, on 19 February joined the inaugural plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) marking the beginning of a new mandate. In his speech to local and regional leaders, he underlined the key role of regions and cities in building a stronger, fairer and more resilient Europe.

Strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion while promoting the green and digital transitions, as well as ensuring that the budget of the European Union is fit for future challenges, are among the key objectives of the EU Strategic Agenda 2024-2029, which was adopted in June by the 27 heads of states and government meeting in the European Council.

On 19 February, during the last plenary debate chaired by the President of the CoR, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, the President of the European Council and former CoR member António Costa called on other European institutions and national governments to join forces with cities and regions around common strategic objectives.

CoR members urged President Costa to closely monitor the fulfilment of the EU priorities, also through an annual political debate on the implementation of the Strategic Agenda from a local and regional perspective. As emphasised by CoR members during the debate, many of the priorities of the EU Strategic Agenda reflect what regional and municipal leaders asked through the Mons declaration in March 2024, which outlined their priorities for a stronger, fairer and more resilient Europe. 

Quotes

Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions: "The presence here today of President Costa sends a strong signal. It shows understanding that regions and cities are essential actors in delivering upon the objectives of the EU, such as reinforcing economic, social and territorial cohesion. It also shows willingness to cooperate with the European Committee of the Regions as a legitimate political assembly. Regions and cities will answer his call to reinforce our cooperation to deliver for all people, wherever they live." 

António Costa, President of the European Council: "Our cities, towns, and regions are critical to our success. They represent Europe’s diversity – its varied histories, its different geographies, its diverse economic and governance models. But, most importantly, they represent our most direct link to citizens. Local and regional governments are closest to the people. They understand their citizens’ needs, their challenges, and their hopes for the future."

Background

• Video and photos from the debate.
• The Mons declaration was adopted in March 2024 at the 10th European Summit of regions and cities, which was attended by over 3,500 local and regional leaders from across Europe.
• President António Costa served as a member of the CoR from 2010 to 2015, when he was mayor of Lisbon. Throughout his membership, he was an active member who made significant contributions to shaping regional and local policies within the EU, with a particular focus on championing Cohesion Policy, a more social Europe, sustainable transport, and free movement.
• President Cordeiro met with President Costa on 31 October 2024, before he started his mandate in the European Council on 1 December 2024, to explain the CoR’s position on some of the major issues under discussion at EU level, including the future of Cohesion Policy and the next EU long-term budget. Press release.

Contacts

Matteo Miglietta
Tel. +32 470895382
Matteo.Miglietta@cor.europa.eu

Ângela Machado
Tel: +32 475 41 31 58
Angela.machado@cor.europa.eu