L’amélioration de l’accès aux services publics pour les citoyens vivant dans les régions frontalières de l’UE est au cœur de l’ avis élaboré par Pavel Branda (ECR/CZ), maire adjoint de Rádlo, qui a été examiné par les membres du Comité européen des régions lors de leur session plénière de février. Le rapporteur y souligne les avantages de la fourniture de services publics transfrontaliers et demande instamment que soient mis en place un cadre juridique plus solide, des structures permanentes telles que des points de contact transfrontaliers, ainsi qu’un soutien financier dans le cadre de l’initiative REACT-UE.

At its first plenary of 2021, the European Committee of the Regions will discuss with Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge​​, Regional Director for Europe of the World Health Organization, the progress and challenges of the vaccination campaign against Covid-19 and the potential role that regions and cities should play. At the same occasion, Ana Paula Zacarias, Secretary of State for European Affairs of the Portuguese Republic, will present her country's priorities for its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. Local leaders will also discuss with European Commissioner Elisa Ferreira the priorities of the new cohesion policy and the economic recovery plans. The presence of European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel will offer the opportunity to discuss the importance and challenges of recovery of the cultural and creative sectors. Pedro Silva Pereira, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Christa Schweng, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, will discuss the European Citizens' Initiative.

The members of the commission for territorial cohesion and EU budget (COTER) discussed the future of cross-border cooperation including their participation in the Cross Border Citizens' Alliance and adopted the draft opinion on cross-border public services prepared by rapporteur Pavel Branda (ECR/CZ). During their meeting members agreed that a minimum of cross-border cooperation needs to be guaranteed in times of crisis.

Turkey would like to increase its participation in cross-border programmes and to see an upgrading in relations between Turkey and the European Committee of the Regions, Faruk Kaymakci, Turkey's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs, told local and regional politicians from the European Union and Turkey on 27 November.