Due settimane prima di un vertice europeo d'importanza cruciale, il Comitato europeo delle regioni – l'assemblea degli enti regionali e locali dell'UE – invita gli Stati membri a raggiungere un accordo tempestivo ed equo sul quadro finanziario pluriennale (QFP) e sul piano Next Generation EU . In una risoluzione e un dibattito con Johannes Hahn, Commissario europeo responsabile del Bilancio e dell'amministrazione, le regioni e le città hanno chiesto che la coesione diventi la bussola per tutte le politiche dell'UE e che l'attuazione dei programmi dell'UE si basi su responsabilità e partenariati condivisi. "Nonostante il ruolo riconosciuto alla politica di coesione nel piano di rilancio, esso funzionerà solo se ci sarà un ancoraggio territoriale. Ad oggi, la sua governance non contempla un vero coinvolgimento delle regioni nella definizione dei piani di investimento, che sono nazionali, e nella loro attuazione. Le risorse sono assegnate agli Stati membri senza alcun vincolo di destinazione territoriale, lasciando ai governi nazionali piena libertà di decidere a quali aree allocarle" ha dichiarato Enrico Rossi (IT/PSE), presidente della Regione Toscana. 

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted a resolution on 2 July setting out its three priorities for the next five years. The political assembly aims to make the European Union more resilient, sustainable and cohesive, by strengthening the involvement of involving regions and cities in EU policy-making and implementation. 

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted at the July plenary session the opinion The Future of EU Clean Air policy in the framework of the zero-pollution ambition drafted by János Ádám Karácsony (HU/EPP), member of the Local Government of Tahitótfalu. In the context of the COVID-19, the rapporteur of the CoR opinion stresses the possible link between pollution and the gravity of infection’s consequences. Therefore, fighting air pollution must be among the top priorities of the recovery plan. Pollution reduction during lockdown showed the importance of a healthier environment. Local leaders encourage Member States to deliver and update their National Air Pollution Control Programmes as a matter of urgency and to take LRAs' contributions on board. 

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has adopted the opinion "European Climate Law: enshrining the 2050 climate neutrality objective​" by rapporteur Juanma Moreno (ES/EPP), President of Andalusia. The European Climate Law, as the legal pillar of the Green Deal, needs to fully engage cities and regions in the design of the trajectory towards 2050. Members request local and regional climate inventories and objectives and call for a permanent Multilevel Energy Dialogue Platform and a European climate neutrality observatory. Data for monitoring progress should be collected at regional, rather than national level. Renewables rather than nuclear energy should power the path towards climate-neutrality. 

In a debate with the European Commissioner for Internal market, Thierry Breton, CoR members highlighted the success of the online Exchange Platform created by the CoR to enable local and regional governments share the best practises in responding the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on this successful example, CoR members proposed Commissioner Breton to jointly promote the digitalisation and the innovative use of digital platforms to support the European Commission's work in strategic fields as transport, tourism, social and education services.The assembly of EU regions and cities, also asked for a stronger support to relaunch the tourism industry, highlighting in particular the vital role of regional airport and of the airlines that connect them. Regional and local leaders stressed that the pandemic boosted the adoption of digital and innovative solutions but, at the same time, made visible persisting massive digital gaps. 

The European Committee of the Regions is to adopt an opinion on the 'Fitness Check of the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive' by rapporteur Piotr Całbecki (PL/EPP), president of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region. In the context of the COVID-19 and unabated global warming, Piotr Całbecki calls for a paradigm shift that places circularity and sustainability at the centre of water management policies. The opinion was discussed during the plenary session alongside a high-level debate on the European Green Deal. Read here an interview with rapporteur Piotr Całbecki on the next steps to improve water quality and sustainability.