Following the model applied for food geographical indications, the new system would help fight counterfeiting, protect jobs and products which are part of Europe's cultural heritage A new EU-wide system for protecting Industrial and Craft Geographical Indications (ICGIs), built on the successful model used for agricultural products and food, would be beneficial for both craftsmen and local economies. The new system would strengthen the legal protection of products of excellence, help combat counterfeiting and create and maintain jobs. The proposal is included in an opinion drafted by Martine Pinville, Member of the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, adopted by unanimity on Wednesday 13 October by the Plenary of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).

On 12 October the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas (EL/EPP), will present the 2021 Regional and Local Barometer to local leaders and the European Commissioner Vice-President, Maroš Šefčovič. The comprehensive report measures the impact of the pandemic on EU's regions, cities and villages, providing key findings, facts and figures on the economic, social, health and digital consequences. WATCH LIVE

While the EU Heads of State and Governments are meeting in Brussels to review the state of play of the economic recovery, the results of a new study commissioned by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) unveil the lack of involvement of local and regional authorities in the preparation and implementation of National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs). The study was presented during the meeting of the CoR's Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) . ECON Members have also voiced serious concern that the inadequate attention to territorial disparities displayed by the plans and the insufficient coordination with cohesion policy targets bear the risk of overlapping funds.

​​The members of the CoR's commission for economic policy (ECON) support a tougher regulatory stance on large internet platforms in their draft opinion on the Digital Services Act package. In presence of the European Parliament, European Commission and Council, the ECON commission members have also shown their concern that the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their accomplishment by 2030 are not taken seriously enough by the European Commission. To encourage the Commission to step up its political engagement in this matter, they adopted the draft opinion Delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 ​.