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    • About
      • About
      The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the voice of regions and cities in the European Union (EU). It represents local and regional authorities across the European Union and advises on new laws that have an impact on regions and cities (70% of all EU legislation).
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    • President President
      Vasco Alves Cordeiro was elected President of the European Committee of the Regions in June 2022.
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    • First Vice-President First Vice-President
      Apostolos Tzitzikostas was born on September 2, 1978. He studied Government and International Relations at Georgetown University, in Washington DC. After graduating in 2000, he had his first working experience at the Office of the President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United States Congress. In 2002 he obtained a Masters Degree on European Public Policy and Economics from the University College of London. Following his studies, he created his own company on the field of production, processing and standardization of dairy products, based on organic standards.
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    • Secretary-General Secretary-General
      The Secretary-General of the European Committee of the Regions has overall responsibility for preparing proceedings and implementing decisions taken by the statutory bodies: The Plenary Assembly, the Bureau, the Conference of Presidents and the President himself.
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    • Protocol service Protocol service
      As the EU's assembly of local and regional representatives, the European Committee of the Regions is a political institution whose work involves maintaining close relations with senior representatives at European, national, regional and local levels.
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      The European Committee of the Regions uses tendering and other processes to carry its work. Learn more in this page and find all relevant information.
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    • Work with us Work with us
      • JobsAt the CoR, you will have the opportunity to address the future challenges of the EU while thriving in a friendly work environment that respects human diversity and enhances individual creativity.
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      The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) intervenes at several stages of the EU law-making process. CoR commissions draft opinions on EU legislative proposals and members gather in plenary to vote and adopt those opinions. The CoR also works closely with national, regional and local authorities, making their voices heard and fostering political debate, not only in Brussels, but also in EU regions and cities, outside Europe and online.
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    • The State of Regions and Cities in the European Union The State of Regions and Cities in the European Union
      On 11 October 2022, the Committee of the Regions published its EU Annual Report on the State of the Regions and Cities, as a snapshot of the most pressing challenges faced by regions and cities across the Union, that helps to inform EU policy decisions.
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    • Political priorities 2020–2025 Political priorities 2020–2025
      Local and regional authorities, represented in the EU by the European Committee of the Regions, have always been the backbone of European democracy. The recent COVID-19 pandemic showed local and regional leaders as the driving force of local communities, responding during the emergency and leading the EU's recovery. Bringing Europe closer to people through its villages, cities and regions will therefore be the primary mission of our Committee achieved through three main priorities.
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    • Plenary sessions Plenary sessions
      The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) holds up to 6 plenary sessions each year. Plenary sessions give the opportunity for CoR Members (or Alternates) to voice their opinions on EU law that may have an impact on regions and cities in the 27 EU countries.
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      The Bureau is a group of CoR members that can be thought of as CoR's political driving force: it draws up its political programme and oversees its implementation. The Bureau meets before each plenary session to coordinate the work of the plenary assembly and the commissions. It also gathers two times a year in extraordinary meetings in the EU country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
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    • Conference of Presidents Conference of Presidents
      The Conference of Presidents (CoP) consists of the President, the First Vice-President and the Presidents of all political groups. The CoP prepares the work and facilitates the search for political consensus on decisions to be taken by the other constitutive bodies (the Plenary Assembly, the Bureau, and the commissions).The CoP meets ahead of each Bureau meeting, usually on the same day. Extraordinary meetings are also organised in Brussels or abroad, notably twice a year in the EU country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
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    • Opinions Opinions
      The European Commission consults the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) at the earliest stage in the European legislative process on policy areas that directly affect the local and regional authorities. The CoR may also proactively adopt a position on a particular issue through an own-initiative opinion.
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    • Commissions Commissions
      The legislative work of the European Committee of the Regions is carried by six thematic commissions and cover a broad range of areas which are relevant to local and regional authorities. In the commissions, Members of the CoR produce opinions on UE legislative proposals and initiatives, as well as discuss other issues relevant to the work of Europe's more than one million local politicians.
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      • CIVEX (Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External affairs)Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs, CIVEX, constitutional issues, democracy, devolution, subsidiarity, justice, future of Europe, migration, integration, fundamental rights, enlargement, neighbourhood, development cooperation.
      • COTER (Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget)In addition to cohesion policy, the COTER commission closely follows the Multiannual Financial Framework and EU Budget, as well as transport policy, territorial development, cross-border cooperation, spatial planning and urban matters.
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      • ENVE (Commission for Environment, Climate change and Energy)The Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) is responsible for coordinating the Committee of the Regions' work in fields related to the European Green Deal, which include the environment biodiversity, circular economy and zero pollution, climate change, energy and space policies. The commission is also responsible for the Green Deal Local Working Group and other networks and platforms such as the Covenant of Mayors National Ambassadors, CoR Climate Pact Ambassadors and the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform. At global level, the commission plays a leading role in CoR involvement at UN conferences for climate change and biodiversity.
      • NAT (Commission for Natural Resources)The NAT commission brings together over 100 mayors, councillors and regional presidents and covers a wide range of topics related to rural development, health, agriculture, forestry, fishery, civil protection, consumer protection and tourism. The Rural Agenda for Europe and the public health are the leading policy themes in the current mandate.
      • SEDEC (Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture)The SEDEC commission is in charge of employment, social policies, education, training (including lifelong learning), sports and culture related dossiers. SEDEC is also responsible for equality, social economy and youth files, as well as research, innovation and artificial intelligence.
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      Established as from February 2007, interregional groups are platforms to exchange views and create new ideas between local and regional authorities in the Member States and beyond.
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      CoR networks enable regions and cities to contribute to the EU debate and to exchange experiences and best practice in specific EU policies.CoR networks enable regions and cities to contribute to the EU debate and to exchange experiences and best practice in specific EU policies.
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      • Enlargement countriesThe CIVEX Commission of the CoR is responsible for the institutional position on EU enlargement policy.
      • Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP)Set up by the CoR in 2011, the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP) is the political forum of local and regional authorities from the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries.It is the only EU platform that offers an opportunity to discuss the contribution by cities and regions in the development of the Eastern Partnership.
      • Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM)The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) is an assembly of local and regional representatives from the European Union and its Mediterranean partners.
    • Regional Hubs Regional Hubs
      The CoR launched a new generation of its Regional Hubs Network (RegHub). Its members monitor the implementation of EU policies on the ground and make sure that the voices of hundreds of regional and local stakeholders are taken into account when these policies are evaluated at European level.
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      Personalized Newsletter from the European Committee of the Regions.
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    • Events
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      The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the meeting place in Brussels for Europe's regions and cities. We welcome about 50,000 visitors a year, participating at the main CoR expert events or at one of the 200 hosted conferences organised by regions, cities or associations.
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    • European Week of Regions and Cities European Week of Regions and Cities
      The European Week of Regions and Cities is the biggest annual event dedicated to regional policy. During this annual four-day event, regions and cities showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.
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    • EuroPCom EuroPCom
      EuroPCom, the European Public Communication Conference, is an annual conference and networking event for communication experts from local, regional, national and European authorities, as well as private communication agencies, NGOs and academia. Since its launch in 2009, EuroPCom has featured high-level speakers from the world of public communication, workshops, participatory ideas labs and training sessions, plus a EuroPCom Market Place for participants to network and engage with exhibitors.
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      The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) encourages participation at all levels, from regional and local authorities to fellow citizens. Find out how you can participate! Online surveys, consultations and events are open to regional and local authorities, associations, NGOs, experts and academics.
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      • Alliance for UkraineThe European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine was launched by the CoR and its partners, including EU and Ukrainian associations of local and regional authorities, to coordinate their joint efforts directed towards helping the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
      • Future of EuropeAs the European Union's body charged with engaging and representing the one million local and regional politicians across the EU, one of the key aims of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is to bring the EU and its institutions closer to its citizens. This is achieved by assisting Members of the CoR to create local dialogues with citizens on European matters, by supporting large-scale initiatives such as the Conference on the Future of Europe and the Network of EU Councillors, and collaborating with other organisations to champion the roll out of innovative methods of citizen participation and engagement.
      • Green Deal Going LocalGreen Deal Going Local is a flagship initiative of the European Committee of the Regions that aims to place cities and regions at the heart of the EU's transition to climate neutrality.
      • Cohesion as an EU valueOne of the European Committee of the Regions' main priorities for 2020 to 2025 is to demonstrate that cohesion is not (just) money, but a fundamental value of the European Union. Through its own activities and through those carried out with the #CohesionAlliance, the Committee is committed to making sure that economic, social and territorial cohesion is fostered and respected in all EU policies.
      • Young Elected PoliticiansThe Young Elected Politicians programme (YEPs) is a network of politicians who are no older than 40 and hold a mandate at regional or local level in the EU. A call for applications to join the programme is published each year. YEPs will have the opportunity to get in contact with other young politicians through the YEP Community, to attend trainings on EU topics, and to participate in activities organised by the CoR, including meetings with rapporteurs, events and seminars organised by the CoR, and communication activities.
      • EU CouncillorsThere are more than one million elected politicians in the regions and cities of the European Union. They deal with European laws, funding programmes and debates on a daily basis. The Network builds on the successful experience with national or local politicians dealing with EU affairs existing, for example, in Austria, France and Germany.
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      • European Entrepreneurial Region (EER)The European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) is a project that identifies and rewards EU regions and cities which show an outstanding and innovative entrepreneurial policy strategy, irrespective of their size, wealth and competences.
      • Mayor Paweł Adamowicz awardfor courage and excellence in the promotion of freedom, solidarity and equality.
      • EU organic awardsThe EU organic awards are jointly organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe. These awards aim to recognise excellence along the organic value chain, rewarding the best and most innovative actors in organic production in the EU.
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      • Access to documentsThe Treaty of Amsterdam introduced a new Article 255, which provides for a right of access for citizens to documents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. These three institutions have adopted Regulation (EC) 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, and subsequently, in a joint declaration, have asked the other European agencies and bodies to adopt similar rules on the matter.
      • ArchivesThe CoR Archives Service is responsible for organising, protecting, managing, describing and preserving the Committee's documentary resources, and providing them to the public. Once they are delivered to the Archives Service by the originating departments, the archives are repackaged, scanned and put on microfiche so as to ensure their physical preservation. A description of each file is made so that search tools (inventories) can be created.
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      The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) organises information visits for members of the public who want to find out more about how the CoR operates and about the role of the regions in shaping the content of European Union legislation.
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Member's Profile

 Rait PIHELGAS

Member of a Local Assembly: Järva Rural Municipality Council

Rait PIHELGAS

Political group

Renew Europe

Languages

  • English
  • Estonian

Represented Country

Estonia

Alternate of the European Committee of the Regions since

23.07.2014

Contact

  • +372 383 4240
  • rait.pihelgas@jarva.ee
 
Contents

Opinions

Adopted opinions

  • (CDR 830/2020) - Strengthening local governance and representative democracy via new digital technology instruments

  • (CDR 93/2017) - EU Enlargement Strategy 2016-2017

    • Latest news

    • 10/12/2020

      COVID-19 accelerates the digital transformation of local democracy

    • 04/12/2020

      Michel Barnier and Mayor of London debate Brexit with EU regional and local leaders

    • 25/06/2020

      COVID-19 crisis has made the need for the Conference on the Future of Europe even more pressing

    • 10/04/2020

      COVID-19: Case studies of CoR Members from the Political Groups

    • 22/02/2019

      Europe Starts at Local Level - Challenges and Opportunities of Setting Up Networks of Europe Correspondents

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