Local and regional leaders are calling for a structured involvement of local and regional authorities in the European Semester process, especially now that the Semester gives guidance to cohesion policy. The opinion on this issue drafted by Rob Jonkman (NL/ECR) was adopted unanimously at the April plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in Brussels.

The integration of migrants and the respect of fundamental rights and EU values in all Member States will be the centrepieces of two debates at the European Committee of the Regions' (CoR) plenary on 10-11 April. Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, will take part in the launch of the CoR's new "Cities and Regions for Integration" initiative, while Koen Lenaerts, President of the Court of Justice of the European Union, and Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission, will assess current threats to fundamental rights and EU values.

The European Committee of the Regions' (CoR) commission for economic policy (ECON) adopted today by unanimity an opinion on the interlinkages between the European Semester and cohesion policy. ECON members stressed that local and regional authorities must play a lead role in shaping the development of country-specific recommendations on investment and economic reform plans. They also debated the challenges facing the socio-economic transitions of coal regions in Europe, the impact of Brexit, and how to move towards a sustainable Europe.

Michel Delebarre, member of Dunkirk Municipal Council (FR/PES) and senator for the Nord department, has been elected as chair of the European Committee of the Regions' Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) following Christian Buchmann (AT/EPP), member of the Styrian Parliament. Arnoldas Abramavičius (LT/EPP), Member of Zarasai District Municipal Council and Rob Jonkman (NL/ECR), Member of the Executive Council of Opsterland, will serve as First and Second Vice-Chair.