The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has put forward a set of proposals to strengthen cooperation between EU Atlantic regions to better tackle the impact caused by Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU's assembly of cities and regions calls for the creation of an Atlantic macro-region that defines common strategies to boost blue economy priority sectors, including fisheries, commerce, tourism and transport. EU Atlantic regions are located in four Member States: France, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. The CoR proposals can be found in an opinion led by the Spanish region of Cantabria, to be adopted at this week's plenary session .

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, will on 17 March make his first address to the European Committee of the Regions, starting a plenary session that will bring into focus local and regional perspectives on policies to end the COVID-19 pandemic and to promote a green and inclusive economic recovery. Four European Commissioners will lead debate about COVID-19 vaccinations and building resilience in EU's regions, the economic recovery package, the Green Deal, and integration of migrants. An award to honour the memory of Paweł Adamowicz, late mayor of Gdańsk, will be launched and the winners of the European Entrepreneurial Region Award will be announced.

In this interview, Paula Fernández Viaña (ES/Renew Europe)​ spoke about the impact of Brexit and COVID-19 on the Atlantic regions. In response to the current challenges, the Minister for the Presidency, Home Affairs, Justice and External Action of the Government of Cantabria has put forward a series of proposals to strengthen cooperation between the Atlantic regions. In particular, she proposes creating an Atlantic macro-region, as well as taking tangible steps towards a sustainable and resilient blue economy in the Atlantic. These proposals are set out in an opinion due to be presented by the Cantabrian Minister on 17 March at the European Committee of the Regions' plenary session.

The European Committee of the Regions' Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) met on 29 January, for the first time in 2021, to discuss about health and the experiences and lessons learned by regions and cities during the COVID-19 crisis. At the meeting, members also adopted an opinion on the Atlantic maritime strategy.