​​​​The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas will welcome Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the European Committee of the Regions' plenary session (#CoRplenary) on 13 October. Chancellor Merkel will present the priorities of the German EU Presidency, discuss the role of local and regional authorities in the EU's recovery plans and start a reflection on the future of Europe.

The debate will be web-streamed live on 13 October at 14:30 (follow live via the CoR webpage).

The statement will be followed by a one-hour discussion with members of the European Committee of the Regions – local and regional leaders from all EU member states - including on cohesion as a fundamental value for Europe's recovery based on the findings of the Annual Regional and Local Barometer. The debate will focus on the added value of the one million regionally and locally elected politicians for the EU and on their role in the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The role of cities and regions in promoting resilient, sustainable and green communities will also be discussed.

Background:

The European Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives from all 27 Member States. Created in 1994 following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, its mission is to involve regional and local authorities in the EU's decision-making process and to inform them about EU policies. The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission consult the Committee in policy areas affecting regions and cities. To sit on the European Committee of the Regions, all of its 329 members and 329 alternates must either hold an electoral mandate or be politically accountable to an elected assembly in their home regions and cities.

Contact:

Michele Cercone
Spokesperson of the President
Tel. +32 (0)498 9823 49
michele.cercone@cor.europa.eu​