​ "On behalf of the European Committee of the Regions, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Roberta Metsola for her election as President of the European Parliament, becoming the youngest president in its history and the first female president in over twenty years.

I have no doubt that her leadership, experience and commitment to our democratic values will benefit the European Union in building a Europe that brings decision-making closer to people.

As a friend of the European Committee of the Regions having worked closely with the local and regional level throughout her time as an MEP, President Metsola will be fully supported by the EU's regional and local leaders. As we have discussed during our previous meetings we are ready to work closely together to deliver our shared ambitions of creating a more sustainable, social and resilient Europe. We must also place cohesion as a fundamental policy and value at the heart of the EU to ensure that every person and community recovers from the pandemic and becomes stronger.

Only through a bottom-up, values-based approach promoted through education and culture, that fully respects the rule of law, can the EU re-build citizens' trust and regain their hearts.

These changes will only happen by empowering and engaging the EU's one million locally and regionally elected politicians. They are the foundations of our European House of Democracy.

We look forward to working with President Metsola. I am confident that through her commitment to the grassroots level, the European Committee of the Regions and the European Parliament will continue to join forces to reinforce people's trust and ensure democracy delivers results for citizens living in our regions, cities and villages."

President's Spokesperson:
Michele Cercone
Tel. +32 (0)498 98 23 49
Michele.Cercone@cor.europa.eu