​The members of the European Committee of the Regions met in the 133rd plenary session on 6 and 7 February 2019.

Several debates took place with the participation of Ms Viorica Dãncilã, Romanian Prime Minister, representative of the Romanian EU Presidency of the Council, and with Mr Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.

10 opinions were on the agenda of this plenary session.

Here is the list of opinions adopted during the February plenary session:

• Creative Europe and a New European Agenda for Culture, rapporteur Mr János Ádám Karacsony (HU/EPP
• Erasmus programme for education, training, youth and sport, rapporteur: Ulrike Hiller (DE/PES)
• A renewed European Agenda for Research and Innovation, rapporteur: Birgitta Sacrédeus (SV/EPP)
• Artificial Intelligence for Europe, rapporteur: Jan Trei (EE/EPP)
• Digitalization in the Health Sector, rapporteur: Fernando López Miras (ES/EPP)
• Tackling online disinformation: a European Approach, rapporteur: Olgierd Geblewicz (PL/EPP)
• Towards an 8th Environment Action Programme, rapporteur: Cor Lamers (NL/EPP)
• Road Safety and automated mobility, rapporteur: József Ribányi (HU/EPP)
• Streamlining TEN-T implementation, rapporteur: Michiel Scheffer (NL/ALDE)
• Proposal for a Regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard, rapporteur-general: Anna Magyar (PL/EPP)

 Associated press releases

Associated press releases

Cities and regions sketch out next Environment Action Programme

Press release | Environment policy;

The European Committee of the Regions unanimously adopts a set of recommendations to improve integration and implementation of environmental legislation and policy in Europe Despite improvements in recent decades, Europe's environment still faces considerable challenges. Natural capital is being degraded by agriculture, fisheries, transport, industry, tourism and urban sprawl. Local leaders denounce a lack of policy integration, funding, information exchange and coordination to effectively implement environmental legislation in the EU. Ahead of the 8th Environment Action Programme to be presented by the next Commission, European cities and regions have put forward a set of recommendations to improve implementation of environmental policy and legislation in Europe for the next decade.  

Cities and regions contribute to the development of artificial intelligence

Press release | Innovation and research;

Ethical guidelines and legislative proposals at European level are urgently needed to ensure that the major socio-economic transformations triggered by artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to a better quality of life for European citizens, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) states in an opinion drafted by Jan Trei (EE/EPP), Mayor of Viimsi Rural Municipality.  

European regions call for action to tackle disinformation

Press release | Digital agenda;Consumer policy;Education;

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is urging the European Commission and its Member States to step up their efforts to combat disinformation, particularly in the context of the upcoming European elections. For their part, local and regional authorities can effectively commit to counteract current online disinformation through civic education, support for non-governmental organisations and civil society, and support for local media.  

Increased budget for Erasmus must ensure equal opportunities for everyone

Press release | Education;

Whilst welcoming the European Commission's proposal to double the budget for the Erasmus programme, the European Committee of the Regions has stressed the need to improve the inclusiveness of the EU programme so it reaches all age groups, social backgrounds and forms of education and training. In a debate with EU Commissioner Tibor Navracsics, members of the EU's assembly for local and regional leaders highlighted the importance of education and culture to strengthen European identity and expressed their support for the European Education Area, which should be finalised by 2025. 

Strong regional ecosystems and innovation hubs are key to more innovative Europe

Press release | Innovation and research;

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) considers that recognising the role of regional ecosystems and innovation hubs is essential to boost research and innovation in Europe. In an opinion presented by Birgitta Sacrédeus (SE/EPP), Member of Dalarna County Council, the CoR highlights the need to better coordinate EU's cohesion policy with research and innovation policy and warns against growing inequalities between more and less developed regions.  

Romania's Prime Minister: future EU budget needs a strong cohesion policy for all regions and cities

Press release | Cohesion policy reform;EU annual budget;

On 6 February, Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă, the Prime Minister of Romania, set out the priorities for the European Union during a debate with local and regional leaders. Romania – who is holding the six-month rotating EU Presidency - said that at a time of growing populism, strengthening European cohesion was of paramount importance and needed the full support of all regions and cities. With the UK's expected departure from the EU in March, complex negotiations on the future EU budget on-going and European elections in May, she called for a shared commitment to competitiveness, convergence and security, stressing the need for a strong cohesion policy in the EU long-term budget post 2020.  

Romanian Prime Minister to discuss Europe's future with local and regional leaders

Press release | Future of Europe;Cohesion policy reform;

On 6 February, local and regional politicians from all over the EU will welcome Vasilica Viorica Dăncilă, Prime Minister of Romania and representative of the Romanian EU Presidency, at the European Committee of the Regions' (CoR) plenary session. The priorities of the EU Presidency, preservation of cohesion as a common European value, and the EU's future after Brexit will be among the main topics for debate.