The plenary took place ahead of the Rome Summit, on 25 March, where a delegation of the CoR will join EU leaders coming together to adopt the “Rome Declaration” and lay the basis for the future developments of the Union the occasion of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaty. As the EU is engaged in a broad reflection on "the future of the EU at 27", EU leaders have committed to open an extensive debate with citizens on how Europe should evolve.

As part of this ongoing reflection on the EU's direction, the CoR engaged with leading members of the European Parliament and of grassroots movements' representatives to debate how to move Europe forward. The following MEPs expressed their vision in front of the CoR members:Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE/BE), Member of the European Parliament also author of a report that outlines proposals to reform the EU towards closer integration; Elmar Brok (EPP/DE) author of the report on "Improving the functioning of the EU building on the potential of the Lisbon Treaty"; and Jo Leinen (S&D/DE), President of the European Movement International - the largest pan-European network of pro-European organisations, and one of the promoters of the public demonstration " March for Europe " to take place in Rome on 25 March alongside the ceremonial Summit. The CoR has launched a bottom-up initiative called "Reflecting on Europe", offering a space for local and regional authorities and for citizens to present their thoughts and ideas about the past-present-future of Europe. As local and regional leaders, CoR Members are among the most trusted politicians in the European Union's Institutional framework.

Brexit

The UK should leave the EU on terms that are not "better than EU membership" whilst ensuring the strong ties between regions and cities are maintained for the benefit of all citizens, the European Committee of the Regions said. This message came during a debate with Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, and was contained in a resolution adopted by EU local and regional leaders on 23 March.

Press release: Brexit: EU must show unity protecting the rights of every citizen living and working in regions and cities

Disaster Risk Reduction

The European Committee of the Regions, in the presence of Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid & Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides , adopted an opinion on the Action Plan on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 . The Action Plan aims at translating the Sendai Framework into tangible actions. The opinion provides a reflection on the main elements of the action plan from the point of view of local and regional authorities: on collection and sharing of data, development of strategies for risk awareness, cooperation with the private sector, cross-border cooperation, climate change adaptation, promoting risk-informed investments in all EU financial instruments, support for early warning systems and building back better after disaster strikes.

Food Policy

In a debate with the EU's Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis , members of the CoR declared their support for an EU policy on sustainable food. A common and long-term vision is essential, as the EU is the world’s largest exporter of agricultural products and must ensure viable production whilst safeguarding the sustainable management of natural resources and balanced territorial development of EU rural areas and their communities.

Press releases: Local and regional leaders call for a comprehensive sustainable EU food policy

Smart specialisation

The regulatory framework around smart specialisation strategies (RIS3) needs to be reformed to increase synergies between the European Structural and Investment Funds and regional innovation and development policies as well as to encourage interregional cooperation and the creation of value chains across European regions, the CoR argues in an opinion adopted during their plenary session.

Press release: Smart specialisation strategies: Stronger focus on synergies and interregional cooperation

Cooperation of Health systems

In the opinion adopted during the plenary session, the CoR agrees on the need to improve the integration, cooperation and performance of health systems in the Union. European citizens live longer and healthier lives than ever before but the current health systems in the EU are affected by population ageing, costs of innovative medicine and new technologies, chronic diseases and inequalities in healthcare access. Large health disparities continue to exist between and within Member States and regions.

Press release: Health systems: more integration to boost cooperation and reduce gaps in the EU

LULUCF

Upon request of the European Commission, the CoR has adopted an opinion on the legislative proposals for greenhouse gas emissions reduction from the sectors in the Effort-Sharing Regulation (ESR) and the land use, land use-change and forestry (LULUCF) Regulation. These include buildings, small industry, agriculture, waste, forestry, and transport except aviation and international maritime shipping. Local leaders call for investments and target completion checks every five years. In 2013 , ESR and LULUCF accounted for 55% GHG emissions in the EU.

Press release: Local governments profile EU legislation to reach 2030 climate targets

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