Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the Committee of the Regions, met yesterday with a delegation of the National Conference of State Legislatures of the United States (NCSL), led by Speaker Scott Saiki, from Hawaii, and discussed opportunities for cooperation on key common challenges.

Cordeiro stressed the common role of both institutions as representatives of the powers of sub-national entities, in the EU and in the US, and stressed the timeliness of the encounter in face of shared common challenges that go beyond borders.

"I believe that we share a common interest in working in areas that, despite affecting all our communities, can only be truly tackled at global level. By addressing them together, there is no doubt that we, as transatlantic partners with a shared history and common values, can play a key role" .

Cordeiro outlined areas where he sees potential for cooperation amongst both institutions and that constitute challenges across the Atlantic.

"Strengthening democracy, tackling the energy transition and fighting the climate crisis are key areas where both our organisation could join forces and exchange best practices. I hope we can continue building upon and exchanging at a more technical level between both organisations to establish a work plan for our future cooperation."

Present in the meeting were also Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy, Rhode Island, Senate President Pro Tempore Wayne Harper, Utah, Director Anne Sappenfield, Wisconsin, Counsel JJ Gentry, South Carolina, Director Martha Wigton, Georgia, Deputy Secretary of the Senate Sabrina Lewellen, Arkansas, Tim Storey, CEO of NCSL and Stacy Householder, Vice President of NCSL.

The NCSL is a US bi-partisan organisation, founded in 1975, that represents the legislatures in the states, territories and commonwealths of the US. Its mission is to advance the effectiveness, independence and integrity of legislatures and to foster interstate cooperation and facilitate the exchange of information among legislatures.