Magali Altounian elected Chair of the Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs of the European Committee of the Regions

President of the Commission Europe of the Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur region, and Deputy Mayor of Nice, Magali Altounian (FR/Renew) was elected President of the Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX) of the European Committee of the Regions at a meeting on 21 February, replacing the Vice-President of the Regional Council of Bourgogne-France-Comté, Patrick Molinoz (FR/PES). Magali Altounian has been involved in the CoR since 2022, notably as rapporteur for two opinions on mechanisms to remove cross-border obstacles. 

The CIVEX commission focuses on EU institutional reforms, multi-level governance, enlargement and external relations. It aims to strengthen democracy, European values and digital regulation, including through artificial intelligence. Its key role in enlargement includes monitoring the territorial aspects of the enlargement process to the countries of the Western Balkans, Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Supporting Ukraine and its cities and regions for its reconstruction and gradual integration into the EU is a priority. CIVEX also strengthens regional cooperation in the Mediterranean (ARLEM)and the Eastern Partnership (Corleap),reconciling geopolitical stability, economic partnerships and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Aware of the crucial issues at stake at European level, Magali Altounian will be committed, through her new responsibilities, to defending and promoting the rule of law and democratic values throughout Europe and in relations with third countries, to contributing to the future Pact for the Mediterranean, and to working to bring the EU ever closer to its inhabitants, particularly young people. 

Magali Altounian (FR/Renew) said: “As President of the CIVEX Commission of the Committee of the Regions, I will be keen to bring the voice of local and regional authorities to the European Union’s external relations, because through our cooperative actions we make a strong contribution to peace, prosperity and dialogue between peoples. As a Mediterranean elected representative, I will endeavour to create a genuine territorial dimension within the New Pact for the Mediterranean announced by the European Commission, by achieving the creation of a macro-regional strategy for the Mediterranean. As a convinced European, aware of the dangers at our borders and of the strength of the European project for oppressed countries and territories, I will pay special attention to Ukraine, of course, as well as Armenia, which so desperately needs Europe.” 

More information: 

Photos of the meeting.

The Committee of the Regions is a consultative body of the European Union that brings together 329 members representing the local and regional authorities of the 27 Member States of the European Union, to contribute through their opinions to the European legislative process.  

Contact:

Hélène Dressen 

Such as: +32 471502795 

Helene.dressen@cor.europa.eu