President Lambertz to hold "State of the European Union" speech during ‎ Committee of the Regions' 25 years celebrations

European Parliament President, European Commission Vice-Presidents & Employment Commissioner to join #CoRplenary as the Committee adopts position on the EU's Green Deal

On 4 December, the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Karl-Heinz Lambertz, will deliver his third "The State of the European Union: the View of Regions and Cities" speech, during a debate with European Parliament President, David Sassoli. The speech, which comes as the CoR marks its 25th anniversary, will set our regions and cities expectations for the new EU mandate. The CoR's members will also discuss how to strengthen social rights with the new EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, and adopt their position on the European Green Deal, following a debate with Executive Vice-President, Frans Timmermans.

3 December, 9am, New EU Home Affairs Commissioner to discuss migrant integration with local leaders

The CoR and European Commission will hold a conference on "Supporting regions, cities and rural areas in migrants' integration". President Lambertz and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson , will both participate at the Go Local conference . The CoR supports the Commission's call to increase funding for integration projects and, through the #regions4integration initiative it launched in April, is seeking to connect activities at the local, regional and European level.

European Committee of the Regions' #CoRPlenary, 4-5 December, European Parliament

4 December, 3pm: "The State of the European Union: the View of Regions and Cities"

During his address in front of the European Parliament President David Sassoli, President Lambertz will share cities and regions' expectations for the new EU mandate 2019-2024, including the EU's long-term budget. The address will also set out how regions and cities will contribute to the Conference on the Future of Europe announced by Commission President von der Leyen, due to take place from over the next two years .

4 December, 5:30pm: European Committee of the Regions' 25 years celebrations

The CoR will celebrate its 25th anniversary, reflecting on the past and the future. Many former CoR Presidents will take part in the plenary debate, together with Luca Jahier , President of the Economic and Social Committee, Maroš Šefčovič , Vice-President of the European Commission, Eva Maydell, MEP and Board Member of EU40 and Monika Wulf-Mathies , former EU Regional Policy Commissioner.

5 December, 9am: Regions and cities to set out demands for EU's Green Deal

Following a debate with Executive Vice-President Timmermans, the CoR will adopt its resolution " Regions' and cities' contribution to the Green Deal " which is expected to be the new European Commission's flagship climate policy.

During the plenary debate, a group of young local politicians from across Europe will also handover their demands for the EU on climate change. The group of 27 politicians has been invited to Brussels by the CoR ( see programme ). The debate takes place shortly before the CoR joins the EU delegation at the COP 25 climate talks in Madrid.

5 December, 10:30am: Putting social rights at the heart of the EU's regions and cities

Newly appointed Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, will address the CoR's members, setting out his vision on the Future of Work and on how to strengthen social rights in the coming years.

Full #CoRplenary debate will be livestreamed

Opinions to be adopted at the #CoRplenary:

 A European framework for regulatory responses to the collaborative economy , rapporteur-general: Peter Florianschütz (AT/PES)

 Platform work – local and regional regulatory challenge , rapporteur: Dimitrios Birmpas (EL/PES)

 The challenges of metropolitan regions and their position in the future cohesion policy post 2020 , rapporteur: Juraj Droba (SK/ECR)

 Macro-regional strategy for the Carpathian region , rapporteur-general: Władysław Ortyl (PL/ECR)

 Improving administrative capacity of local and regional authorities to strengthen investments and structural reforms in 2021-2027 , rapporteur: Manuela Bora (IT/PES)

 Action Plan against Disinformation , rapporteur: Randel Länts (EE/PES)

 the Eastern Partnership , rapporteur-general: Tadeuš Andžejevski (LT/ECR)

 Potential of the rail sector in delivering EU policy priorities , rapporteur: Pascal Mangin (FR/EPP)

 the Competition Policy 2018 Report , rapporteur: Dominique Leveque (FR/PES)

Plenary Practical information: