​German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed impact of the COVID crisis and future of Europe with European Committee of the Regions' members, during the October plenary session.

The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, welcomed the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Angela Merkel, to the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (#CoRplenary) on 13 October. The German Chancellor presented the priorities of the German EU Presidency, discussed the role of local and regional authorities in Europe's recovery and exchanged views with the Members of the CoR  on Europe's future (watch the recorded debate here).

Addressing the key expectations of regions and cities to the German presidency, Apostolos Tzitzikostas (full speech), said: "300 regions and 90,000 municipalities are the EU's democratic foundations and its safety net. As local and regional leaders, we are on the front line fighting the pandemic. We are working tirelessly to contain the virus, help the most vulnerable, protect our communities and safeguarding local economies and jobs. We are considered by our citizens the most trusted and effective level of governance. If Europe wants to better connect with people in the territories and find concrete solutions to their needs, regional and local leaders must be given a greater say in the EU decision-making process''.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “Your perspectives, your experiences and your commitment are precisely what Europe needs to get through this difficult time in solidarity and to take responsibility on the ground. Without you, we, as heads of state and government, can do little - just as little as without the citizens of Europe. Therefore, I would like to say my thanks to all those who take their responsibility in the regions and municipalities seriously. Overcoming the crisis is a Herculean task that is of course all the more successful if we in Europe pull together''.*

'The pandemic has shown the limits of the current two-dimensional Europe, based only on Member States and Brussels'', continued President Tzitzikostas. "We need a European House of Democracy with three-dimensions where all levels of government - EU, national and regional/local – are working together, for the people and closer to the people. We believe in the German motto Gemeinsam - Together. Together we can build a more resilient, democratic, sustainable and human Europe.''

Background:

Europe's cities and regions continue to be on the frontline in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Local and regional authorities had to react quickly to provide support to the most vulnerable citizens and to local businesses. The COVID-19 crises has impacted every region, city and local community in Europe but each of those differently which is also shown by the findings of the Annual Regional and Local Barometer, presented by the CoR earlier this week. Under the motto "Together for Europe's recovery", the German presidency will focus directly on overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic: fighting the spread of the virus, supporting the European economy to recover and reinforcing social cohesion in Europe. Proximity to citizens throughout the crisis has demonstrated the need for LRAs to be a central part of decision-making to secure a successful and equitable economic recovery.

In the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the pandemic has also reinforced the urgency of placing local and regional authorities at its core, making the EU a more democratic and transparent Union closer and better able to respond to the needs of its citizens. A recent poll (find it here) by Kantar shows that a very large majority in every country think that local and regional government has too little influence at the EU level and an absolute majority believes that giving more influence to local and regional authorities would have a positive impact on the EU's ability to solve problems.

Note to the editor:

*This is a courtesy translation by the European Committee of the Regions. Please refer to the formal speech by Chancellor Merkel here

Contact:
Michele Cercone
Spokesperson of the President
Tel. +32 (0)498 982 349
​michele.cercone@cor.europa.eu