Europe's regions and cities in motion.
Date: 2023-10-09
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: EU activity, European Committee of the Regions, interinstitutional cooperation (EU), interinstitutional relations, region-EU relationship, regional and local authorities

Europe’s
Europe’s
Regions
Cities
Regions Cities
nMotionMotion

n
i
i

d
d
n
n
a
a

E
u
r
o
p
e
a
n
C
o
m
m

i
t
t
e
e
o
f

t
h
e
R
e
g
o
n
s

i

’

E
u
r
o
p
e
s
R
e
g
i
o
n
s
a
n
d
C
i
t
i
e
s
i
n
M
o
t
i
o
n

Created in 1994, after the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty, the European Committee of the Regions is the EU’s assembly 
of 350 regional and local representatives from all 28 Member States, representing over 507 million Europeans. Its mission is to 
involve regional and local authorities and the communities they represent in the EU’s decision-making process and to inform 
them about EU policies. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council consult the Committee in policy 
areas affecting regions and cities. It can appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union if its rights are infringed or it 
believes that EU law infringes the subsidiarity principle or fails to respect regional or local powers.

Edited by the Directorate for Communication of the European Committee of the Regions

Brussels, July 2017 — CdR_3338

Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 101   |

|   BELGIQUE/BELGIË 

@EU_CoR   |   

|   e-mail: PublicationsCdR@cor.europa.eu   |   www.cor.europa.eu 
/european.committee.of.the.regions   |   

/european-committee-of-the-regions

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We, the Leaders of 27 Member States and of EU institutions, take pride in the achievements of the 
European Union: the construction of European unity is a bold, far-sighted endeavour. Sixty years ago, 
recovering from the tragedy of two world wars, we decided to bond together and rebuild our continent from 
its ashes. We have built a unique Union with common institutions and strong values, a community of 
peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, a major economic power with unparalleled 
levels of social protection and welfare… 

In the ten years to come we want a Union that is safe and secure, prosperous, competitive, sustainable and 
socially responsible, and with the will and capacity of playing a key role in the world and of shaping 
globalisation. We want a Union where citizens have new opportunities for cultural and social development 
and economic growth. We want a Union which remains open to those European countries that respect our 
values and are committed to promoting them… 

We will pursue these objectives, ﬁrm in the belief that Europe's future lies in our own hands and that the 
European Union is the best instrument to achieve our objectives. We pledge to listen and respond to the 
concerns expressed by our citizens and will engage with our national parliaments. We will work together 
at the level that makes a real difference, be it the European Union, national, regional, or local, and in a spirit 
of trust and loyal cooperation, both among Members States and between them and the EU institutions, in 
line with the principle of subsidiarity. We will allow for the necessary room for manoeuvre at the various 
levels to strengthen Europe's innovation and growth potential. We want the Union to be big on big issues 
and small on small ones. We will promote a democratic, effective and transparent decision-making 
process and better delivery. 

We as Leaders, working together within the European Council and among our institutions, will ensure that 
today's agenda is implemented, so as to become tomorrow's reality. We have united for the better. Europe is 
our common future.

25 March 2017, Rome

FINDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE EU

Online: Information about the European Union in all the oﬃcial languages of the EU is available on the Europa website at: http://europa.eu

EU publications: You can download or order free and priced EU publications from EU Bookshop at: http://bookshop.europa.eu.
Multiple copies of free publications may be obtained by contacting Europe Direct or your local information centre (see http://europa.eu/contact).

EU law and related documents: For access to legal information from the EU, including all EU law since 1951 in all the oﬃcial language versions, go 
to EUR-Lex at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu"

Open data from the EU: The EU Open Data Portal (http://data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data) provides access to datasets from the EU. Data can be 
downloaded and reused for free, for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.      

© European Union, 2017
Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged.

Declaration of the leaders of 27 member states and of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European CommissionThe Rome DeclarationTable of Contents

page

02

Foreword 

by the President Markku Markkula

page

06

Introduction
Political Priorities

page

08

Chapter 1
A fresh start for the EU economy

page

16

Chapter 2
The territorial dimension of EU legislation 
matters

page

24

Chapter 3
A simpler, more connected Europe

page

30

Chapter 4
Stability and cooperation within and outside 
the European Union

page

38

Chapter 5
Europe of the citizens is Europe of the future

page

46

Chapter 6
Reflecting on Europe

page

54

Perspectives
by the First Vice President

Karl-Heinz Lambertz

Europe’s Regions and Citiesin MotionMarkku Markkula
President of the 
European Committee of the 
Regions

Foreword

cooperation we have with the 
EU’s neighbours. For me, it’s 
all about making regions and 
cities catalysers, enablers and 
drivers.
 the potential of “Reflecting on 
the EU”. The CoR is modest. 
The CoR is modest. We keep 
our feet firmly on the ground. 
But, every day, we see how 
acting locally, we can achieve 
things at the EU level and 
beyond. No-one believes this 
more than Karl-Heinz and I, as 
co-rapporteurs in the exercise 
reflecting on Europe. 

I hope my Presidency of the 
European Committee 
of the Regions will 
be remembered 
most for having 
shown our 
potential to 
renew Europe 
despite times 
of crisis. 
The future is 
invented from 
the bottom up.

In today’s challenging times, 
anniversaries such as the 60 
years of the Rome Treaty and the 
25 years of the Maastricht Treaty 
are an opportunity to have an 
honest debate about Europe. But, 
we have to go beyond talking and 
start acting! 

Back in January 2015, 700 regional 
and local politicians began a 
new 5-year mandate of European 
Committee of the Regions. The EU 
was still in the grips of the worst 
economic crisis in its history. 

Since then we have seen the 
migration crisis and a political 
crisis of confidence in the EU and 
its institutions.

Throughout the first half of this 
mandate, despite these difficulties, 
three things have driven me:

 the potential for societal and 
technological innovation to 
provide solutions for regions 
and cities. This is not just 
about driving economic 
recovery; it’s about finding 
new solutions to old and 
new problems. And the EU’s 
leadership is starting to 
see this - Presidents, Prime 
Ministers, Commissioners 
and MEPs. Science and 
Government working together. 
It’s about investing in human 
capital and making Europe 
SMARTER. 
 the potential of regional and 
local politicians to take a lead. 
Fellow Members from across 
the political spectrum 
consistently inspired me - 
from our work on investing 
in jobs in Europe to the 

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the 
Treaty of Rome 
 Rome, 2017

2

Europe’s Regions and Citiesin Motion››››Research and 
Innovation 
Strategies for Smart 
Specialisation 
conference attended 
by Vladimir Šucha, 
Director-General of 
the Joint Research 
Centre of the European 
Commission, 
Markku Markula, 
Commissioner Corina 
Creţu and Lambert Van 
Nistelrooij, MEP

Seville, 2015

One-minute 
silence for Brussels 
terrorist attacks 
alongside Rudi 
Vervoort, Minister-
President of the 
Government of the 
Brussels Capital 
Region

 Brussels, 2016

European Council 
President Donald 
Tusk meets CoR 
President Markku 
Markkula and EPP/
CoR President 
Michael Schneider at 
CoR Plenary Session

 Brussels, 2016

Working hand 
in hand with 
Europe’s youth

  Maastricht, 2017

3

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
4

››››L-R: Bart Somers (ALDE), Rob Jonkman (ECR), Catiuscia Marini (PES), Markku Markkula (CoR President), Donald Tusk 
5
(Council President),  Karl-Heinz Lambertz (CoR 1st Vice-President), Michael Schneider (EPP), Stanisław Szwabski  (EA)

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››Political Priorities

“It’s time to build 
a Europe for 
and with 
the citizens.”

expertise is shared with our 
neighbours as a means to help 
provide stability through the 
development of economic and 
political ties; 

5.  Europe of the citizens is 

Europe of the Future, where 
the citizens of Europe are the 
priority.

From the fast-paced and 
energetic European Summit of 
Regions and Cities, co-hosted 
by the City of Bratislava and the 
Bratislava Region, to the halls 
of Amsterdam for the Forum 
on the Urban Agenda and the 
recent Citizens’ dialogue in the 
heart of Transylvania, the CoR 
President, First Vice-President 
and Members have been the 
voice of regions and cities in the 
European Union.

This book is a snapshot of the 
plethora of activities carried 
out by the European Committee 
of the Regions (CoR) Members 
over the past 30 months - 
starting with a new mandate 
(2015- 2020) and the election of 
Markku Markkula, CoR Member 
and Member of the Espoo city 
council in Finland, as President, 
and Karl-Heinz Lambertz, CoR 
Member and President of the 
German-speaking Community’s 
Parliament in Belgium, as First 
Vice-President, to this the half 
way point. 

The following pages are based 
on the five priorities laid out in 
the political priorities of the CoR 
which were agreed unanimously 
in the June 2015 Plenary for the 
first time in for an entire five year 
mandate. These five priorities 
include:

1.  A fresh start for the European 

economy, with its goal of smart, 
sustainable and inclusive 
growth which has local and 
regional communities at its 
heart;

2.  The territorial dimension 

of EU legislation matters, to 
allow growth that is the most 
broadly based across the whole 
of Europe, with no corner left 
untouched;

3.  A simpler more connected 

Europe, where the idea of trust 
and partnerships within the 
European Union by its citizens 
is built up through the local 
level;

4.  Stability and cooperation 
within and outside of the 
European Union, local 

6

Europe’s Regions and Citiesin Motion››››1

4

6

9

Markku Markkula 
delivers the Maastricht 
Treaty to the Yo!Fest 
with Luis Alvarado 
Martinez, President of the 
European Youth Forum

 Maastricht, 2017

2

European Commission President 
Jean-Claude Juncker at CoR 
Plenary Session

Brussels, 2016

Iskra Mihaylova, Chair of 
the European Parliament’s 
Regional Affairs Committee, 
joins Karl-Heinz Lambertz for 
the Summit of Regions and 
Cities

 Bratislava, 2016

3

5

CoR trainees showing 
hope & determination to 
get Europe back on track

 Brussels, 2016

Elżbieta Bieńkowska, European 
Commissioner for the Single 
8
Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship 
and SMEs, attends the CoR Plenary

 Brussels,  2016

13

15

7

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
A fresh start 
for the European economy

›
›

“We have to support our 
regions and cities in Europe 
to push forward a new wind 
of positive change; thus we 
will boost smart growth and 
create sustainable jobs.”

cities can help them to develop 
better policies, which is why the 
CoR has worked closely with the 
Joint Research Centre. Successful 
initiatives such as the creation 
of the Broadband platform, 
the Knowledge Exchange 
Platform and innovation camps 
have also furthered the CoR’s 
contribution to strengthening 
the growth potential in Europe’s 
regions and cities. There was 
also a concerted effort to make 
smart specialisation a means of 
modernising public services and 
to promote smart cities as well as 
connecting with Europe’s youth.

7th European Summit of Regions & Cities

Bratislava, 2016

The European Committee of the 
Regions’ top priority is to kick 
start Europe’s economy. A strong 
focus was placed on delivering 
on investments in Europe’s 
regions and cities, promoting an 
innovative and entrepreneurial 
mind-set and making use of 
scientific evidence for better 
policy-making. 

The successful Bratislava 
Summit in July 2016 was a 
highlight of the first half of the 
mandate, bringing together 
approximately one thousand 
participants under the title 
‘Invest and Connect’.  The 
keynote speech was provided 
by Professor Jeremy Rifkin, 
who argued structural changes 
in the economy would be 
driven by innovation digital 
and information technologies 
and changes in the structure of 
the energy sector amount to a 
third industrial revolution. The 
Summit was also the opportunity 
to launch of a series of CoR 
Members’ short stories on how 
to become a forerunner in a book 
entitled “Regional Innovation 
Ecosystems”. 

Although it is obvious that 
there is more to do, the 
CoR has contributed to 
making make economic 
growth in Europe smarter, 
more sustainable and more 
inclusive by getting local 
and regional authorities 
deeply connected to people, 
places and resources. Bringing 
scientific evidence to the 
disposal of Europe’s regions and 

8

››››Chapter1›››› 
Jeremy Rifkin, President 
of the Foundation on 
Economic Trends

 Bratislava, 2016

[Y]Factor: a CoR trainee-led 
youth initiative

Bratislava, 2016

7th European Summit of 
Regions & Cities

 Bratislava, 2016

Csaba Borboly, 
President of 
Harghita County 
Council (EPP/RO) 
shares the CoR 
position on youth 
with Commissioner 
Tibor Navracsics

 Brussels, 2017

Going local to 
discover local 
& regional best 
practice with Malina 
Edreva, Councillor, 
Sofia Municipal 
Council (EPP/BG)

Sofia, 2017

9

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
 
Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

10

Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

››››European Commission 
Vice-President, Jyrki 
Katainen, meeting CoR 
trainees, 7th European 
Summit of Regions & 
Cities

 Bratislava, 2016

Ivo Nesrovnal, Mayor 
of Bratislava, Markku 
Markkula, President of 
the CoR and European 
Commissioner Violetta 
Bulc launching the 
“Regional Innovation 
Ecosystems Guide”

  We need a better 
connected 
Europe which 
means improving 
investment in 
people, places, 
resources and ideas 
- and this must 
start in its regions 
and cities.”

  Markku Markkula
President of the 
European Committee 
of the Regions 
(EPP/FI)

  It is important 
we are not just 
passive subjects 
of decisions taken 
at the EU level, but 
actively shape the 
debate on matters 
that affect us.”

  Pavol Frešo
President of the 
Bratislava Self-
Governing Region 
(EPP/SK)

  The EU needs to be 
more responsive to 
the needs of cities.  
Better legislation 
goes hand in 
hand with better 
investment.”

  Ivo Nesrovnal
The Mayor of 
Bratislava (EPP/SK)

11

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
12

››››L-R: Markku Markkula, President of the CoR, Dirk Ahlborn, founder and head of the Hyperloop, Maroš Šefčovič,Vice-President of the European Commission, 
13
Ivo Nesrovnal, Mayor of Bratislava (Event: From innovative solutions towards smart cities)

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››  Cities and regions 
face many 
challenges, from air 
pollution to traffic 
congestion. But 
every time I talk to a 
mayor or a regional 
leader, it strikes me 
how creative and 
innovative our cities 
and regions are in 
finding solutions for 
these challenges.”

  Maroš Šefčovič
European 
Commission Vice-
President, responsible 
for the Energy Union

  The Investment 
Plan for Europe will 
create opportunities 
for investment in 
areas that find it 
harder to get access 
to finance. The 
experience of the 
CoR and its know-
how will be of great 
importance for the 
work of EIB.”

  Werner Hoyer
President of the 
European Investment 
Bank

  Innovation 
happens where the 
entrepreneurs are, 
but universities 
and R&D are vital 
for the growth and 
development of 
cities.”

  Yoomi Renström
Mayor of Ovanåker 
and Chair of the CoR 
SEDEC commission 
(PES/SE)

COR delegation visit 
to the European 
Investment Bank 
and meeting with its 
President, Werner 
Hoyer

Luxembourg, 2015

The European Pillar 
of Social Rights 
conference

Brussels, 2017

Commissioner 
Carlos Moedas 
alongside SEDEC 
commission chair, 
Yoomi Renström 
(PES/SE), and Markku 
Markkula

Brussels, 2015

14

›››› 
 
 
 
 
Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

15

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››The territorial dimension of 
EU legislation matters

The CoR’s Presidency and 
Members have worked 
continuously to have EU policies 
help bridge the gaps both 
between regions and cities and 
the haves and have nots as its 
second priority.  From pushing 
for a real change in the way 
EU and national rules for cities 
are shaped and implemented 
through the Pact of Amsterdam 
on the Urban Agenda to the 
launch of the Alliance for the 
Future of Cohesion Policy, the 
CoR has continuously positioned 
territorial, economic, cultural and 
demographic characteristics as 
strengths and placed citizens at 
the centre of all its work. It has 
also worked to bridge the gap and 
share best practices for resilience 
to floods, droughts, fires and 
extreme weather.

Continuing a trend over the past 
twenty years, the CoR hosted the 
European Week of Regions and 
Cities (formerly OPEN DAYS), 
for a programme of some 100 
workshops, debates, exhibitions 
and networking events on 
regional and local development 
with the 2015 edition focusing 
on Europe’s regions and cities: 
partners for investment and 
growth and the 2016 edition on 
Regions and cities for sustainable 
and inclusive future.

›
›

“It is necessary to attract 
more private investment 
and to foster the synergies 
between cohesion policy and 
the European Commission’s 
Investment Plan for Europe 
to drive our economy and 
create a more cohesive 
Europe.”

Commissioner Violeta Bulc tests 
electric buses with Markku Markkula 
and Sirpa Hertell, Espoo City 
councillor and Vice-Chair of the 
CoR’s ENVE commission.

Espoo, 2016

16

››››Chapter2›››› 
European Commissioner

for Budget and Human

Resources, Günther H.

Oettinger, receives book

on “Orchestrating Regional 
Innovation Ecosystems – 
Espoo Innovation Garden”

Brussels, 2015

“We hope to form a strong Cohesion 
Alliance in order to pave a way toward 
a strong and effective cohesion policy 
post-2020”

Michael Schneider, 
the Envoy of the State of Saxony-Anhalt 
to the Federal Government and President of 
the EPP Group in the CoR (EPP/DE)

 Brussels, 2017

Helene Fritzon, Member 
of Kristianstad Municipal 
Council (PES/SE at the 
CoR Plenary Session

 Brussels, 2016

Commissioner Christos 
Stylianides discusses more 
disaster resilient regions 
and cities with Adam 
Banaszak, Member of 
the Kujawsko-Pomorskie 
regional assembly (EA/PL)

 Brussels, 2017

17

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
  “The aim of the 
European Week of 
Regions and Cities 
is to empower 
cities and regions 
and give them the 
means to exchange, 
learn and build 
their own ways to 
innovation, growth, 
jobs and quality of 
life.”

  Corina Crețu
European 
Commissioner for 
Regional Policy

Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

CoR delegation visit 
to the Joint Research 
Centre: picture shows 
L-R: Raffaele Cattaneo, 
Regional Councillor 
and President of the 
Lombardia Regional 
Council and COTER 
Chair (EPP/IT), 
Charlina Vicheva, 
JRC Deputy Director 
General), Markku 
Markkula and  Witold 
Stępień, President of 
Łódzkie Region and 
the Vice-Chairman 
of the CoR’s ENVE 
commission (EPP/PL)

Ispra, 2016

Seeing how EU 
investment makes a 
difference locally with 
Malina Edreva, Sofia 
Municipal Councilor 
(EPP/BG), Yordanka 
Fandakova (Mayor 
of Sofia), Markku 
Markkula & Stoyan 
Bratoev, CEO of the 
company running the 
EU-funded Sofia metro

Sofia, 2016

RegioStars Awards: 
celebrating good 
practices in regional 
development 

Brussels, 2016

18

›››› 
 
 
19

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››20

››››Thanks to the initiative of Luxembourg’s Presidency of the European Union, the European 
Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) - a cross-border regulatory framework - will be 
21
improved and given new tools.

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››22

››››Markku Markkula 
outlines the CoR 
position on the future 
of cohesion policy in 
the media

L-R: Raffaele Cattaneo, 
Regional Councillor 
and President of 
the Lombardia 
Regional Council 
(EPP/IT), European 
Commissioner 
Corina Creţu and 
Ronald Plasterk, 
Dutch Minister of 
Interior and Kingdom 
Relations with 
the signed Pact of 
Amsterdam

 Amsterdam, 2016

Hella Dunger-Löper, 
State Secretary, 
Representative of the 
Land of Berlin to the 
Federal Government 
with Responsibility 
for European Affairs 
(PES/DE) and Cor 
Lamers, Mayor of 
Schiedam (EPP/NL) at 
the CoR Forum on the 
EU Urban Agenda

 Amsterdam, 2016

  The Urban Agenda 
is not about more 
or less rules 
and legislation, 
but better 
regulation: more 
comprehensive, 
more integrated 
and no sectorial 
policies.”

 Cor Lamers
Mayor of Schiedam 
(EPP/NL)

  The EU’s most 
powerful 
investment tool has 
proved a success 
at EU, national 
and regional level. 
Cohesion policy 
must continue 
produce results for 
all regions, rich or 
poor.”

  Markku Markkula
President of the CoR 
(EPP/FI)

  Only a real, shared 
and cross-cutting 
effort for better 
regulation of 
urban-relevant 
EU rules, funding 
and tools… can 
boost sustainable 
development in our 
cities” 

  Hella Dunger-Löper
State Secretary,
Representative of the
Land of Berlin to the
Federal Government
with Responsibility
for European Affairs
(PES/DE)

23

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
 
A simpler, more connected 
Europe

a key ingredient to the success 
of these proposals. This is why 
the Presidency has regularly 
met with other EU leaders, both 
bilaterally and by inviting them 
as keynote speakers during the 
CoR Plenary sessions. Working 
closely together has allowed the 
Presidency and CoR Members to 
achieve more.

Making it easier for Europeans 
to benefit from the added value 
that the EU provides and giving 
businesses a hand to thrive is 
the basis of the third priority for 
the 2015-2020 mandate. The CoR 
has sought to reconnect citizens 
and businesses, especially SMEs, 
at the local and regional level 
by simplifying EU legislation 
and promoting the concept of 
multilevel governance. Removing 
obstacles to investment, working 
to cut red tape and making the EU 
more transparent have been top 
priorities in this regard.

Increased cooperation with other 
EU institutions, including the 
rotating Presidencies, has been 

›
›

We will work together at 
the level that makes a 
real difference, be it the 
European Union, national, 
regional, or local, and in 
a spirit of trust and loyal 
cooperation, both among 
Members States and 
between them and the EU 
institutions, in line with the 
principle of subsidiarity
Rome declaration, 2017 

Marek Sowa, Marshal of Malopolska 
region (EPP/PL), receiving the 2016 
European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) 
award from President Markkula

Brussels, 2016

24

››››Chapter3››››  
Nanette Maupertuis, 
Executive Member of 
the Corsican regional 
authority (EA/FR), 
presenting the CoR referal 
on Entrepreneurship on 
Islands to the Maltese EU 
Presidency

 Brussels, 2017

CoR Members Anne 
Karjalainen, Member of 
the Kerava City Council 
(PES/FI) and Albert Bore, 
Member of Birmingham 
City Council (PES/UK) 
voting on positions at the 
Plenary Session

 Brussels, 2017

“We are willing to facilitate the 
involvement of local and regional 
authorities in the European 
Semester process”

Valdis Dombrovskis, 
Vice-President of the European 
Commission meeting Christian 
Buchmann, Member of the Styria 
Regional Government and Chair of the 
CoR’s ECON commission (EPP/AT)

Mari Kiviniemi, Deputy 
Secretary-General of the 
OECD, addresses CoR 
Plenary Session 

Brussels, 2016

25

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
26

Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

››››  As local 
representatives, 
you can have a 
leading role in 
communicating 
Europe to our 
citizens at the local 
level.”

  Antonio Tajani
President of the 
European Parliament 

  Now there is 
agreement on the 
legislation, the EU 
Investment Plan 
can be launched. 
The CoR is a key 
partner.”

  Jean-Claude 
Juncker
President of 
the European 
Commission

Frans Timmermans, 1st 
Vice-President of the 
European Commission, 
invites Markku Markkula 
into his office to discuss 
better regulation and 
cooperation between the 
two EU bodies

 Brussels, 2015

Jean-Claude Juncker, 
President of the European 
Commission, attends the 
CoR Plenary to share the 
lessons learned about 
the European Fund for 
Strategic Investments 
(EFSI)

 Brussels, 2016

Antonio Tajani, President 
of the European 
Parliament, joins Markku 
Markkula to call for a 
joint effort to bring the 
European Union closer 
to citizens and deliver 
concrete answers to their 
concerns

 Brussels, 2017

27

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
 
28

Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

››››Luxembourg Prime Minister, 
Xavier Bettel, and the CoR 
EU call for urgent action to 
support regions & cities to 
tackle migration challenge

 Luxembourg, 2015

Rosen Plevneliev, President 
of the Republic of Bulgaria, on 
his way to a citizens’ dialogue 
as part of the Reflecting on 
Europe initiative

 Gabrovo, 2016

CoR agreed with the Prime 
Minister of the Netherlands, 
Mark Rutte, that the Dutch 
EU Presidency should focus 
on investments, urban 
strategy & better regulation

 Den Haag, 2015

Estonian Prime Minister, 
Jüri Ratas, discusses 
with the CoR breaking 
digital borders to unite 
Europe ahead of 2017 EU 
Presidency

 Tallinn, 2017

29

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››Stability and cooperation 
within and outside the 
European Union

local stakeholders in the historic 
COP 21 and 22 conferences, held 
meetings with neighbours to 
the south (ARLEM) and to the 
east (CORLEAP), have shared 
experiences with local officials 
from Libya and the Ukraine, held 
a successful Forum on Migration, 
passed an opinion on providing 
an Action Plan on the Sendai 
Framework for Disaster Risk 
Reduction 2015-2030.

European decision makers, 
including local and regional 
authorities, have reached 
out and cooperated with 
neighbours

Karl-Heinz Lambertz meets with Donald 
Tusk, President of the European Council, 
and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of 
the European Commission, at the Eastern 
Partnership summit

Riga, 2015

Climate change, enlargement, 
migration, natural disasters, 
resource shortages, and 
integration: what do all these 
issues have in common? In order 
to address each and every one of 
them, European decision makers, 
including local and regional 
authorities, have reached out 
and cooperated with neighbours 
both near and far. These 
interactions are key to providing 
stability within the EU, based on 
successfully used tools in the 
past that provided institutional 
and including capacity building, 
political solidarity and city 
diplomacy. In 2015, Europe faced 
one of its greatest migration 
crises, with an unprecedented 
number of people arriving in 
Europe in search of a safer and 
better life.

Over the past two-and-half 
years, the Presidency and CoR 
Members have participated as 

30

››››Chapter4›››› 
The environment and 
climate change high on 
the ENVE agenda, chaired 
by Francesco Pigliaru, 
President of the Region of 
Sardinia (PES/IT)

Brussels, 2016

Farida El Allagi, 
attachée of Libya to 
the EU seeks support 
from CoR

 Brussels, 2015

European Migration Forum

 Brussels, 2016

CoR rapporteur on 
radicalisation, Bart 
Somers, Mayor of 
Mechelen and President 
of ALDE Group in the 
CoR, awarded World 
Mayors Prize

 2016

Conference of the Regional and Local 
Authorities for the Eastern Partnership 
(CORLEAP) 

 Brussels, 2015

31

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
  Cities and regions 
are at the forefront 
of the migratory 
crisis. They need 
and must have our 
full and continuous 
support.”

  Dimitris 
Avramopoulos
European 
Commissioner 
for Migration, 
Home Affairs and 
Citizenship

Dimitris 
Avramopoulos, 
European 
Commissioner 
for Migration, 
Home Affairs and 
Citizenship, joins the 
2nd edition of the 
European Migration 
Forum, hosted by 
Georges Dassis, 
President of the 
Economic and Social 
Committee

Brussels, 2016

CoR Members discuss 
Inclusive Cities at the 
CoR Forum on the EU 
Urban Agenda

Amsterdam, 2016

CoR Members Markku 
Markkula and Paweł 
Adamowicz, Mayor 
of Gdańsk (EPP/PL), 
join Rudy Demotte, 
Minister-President 
of the French 
Community (PES/
BE), for a visit to “La 
Petite École” for Syrian 
migrant children 

Brussels, 2016

32

›››› 
 
 
 
33

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››34

››››The Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy: the world’s biggest urban climate and energy initiative
35
Brussels, 2015

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
  The CoR is “ready 
to develop actions 
to increase the 
visibility of the 
Covenant of Mayors 
among its Members 
and encourages 
those who have 
not done so yet to 
become parties to 
the Covenant”

  Kata Tűttö
Representative of the 
Local Government of 
District 12 of Budapest 
(PES/HU)

  The commitment 
of local and 
regional elected 
representatives in 
climate and energy 
issues is a key to 
success.”

  Linda Gillham

Member of 
Runnymede Borough 
Council (EA/UK) 
as part of the CoR 
delegation to the COP 
22 in Marrakech

  Integration has 
to be considered 
in every aspect 
of asylum and 
migration policy, 
and the sooner 
in the process 
we promote 
integration, the 
better for our cities 
and for newcomers 
themselves.”

  Karl Vanlouwe
Member of the 
Flemish parliament 
and CoR rapporteur 
on integration 
(EA/BE)

EU cities & regions 
heard at the COP22 
via increased 
cooperation 
between national, 
regional & local 
governments

  Marrakech, 2016 

Mayors of Tripoli 
and Zintan meeting 
HRVP Federica 
Mogherini to 
discuss the CoR’s 
Nicosia Initiative

Brussels, 2016

Meeting of the 
Commission 
for Sustainable 
Territorial 
Development of the 
Euro-Mediterranean 
Regional and Local 
Assembly (ARLEM) at 
COP 22

Marrakech, 2016 

36

›››› 
 
 
 
 
37

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››Europe of the citizens is 
Europe of the future

The Presidency and Members of 
the CoR have worked tirelessly 
throughout the first half of the 
mandate to demonstrate the 
benefits of the European Union 
to citizens and to give them a 
real voice. As the closest elected 
representatives to citizens, 
there is a clear responsibility to 
showcase the added value of the 
EU at home while also bringing 
experiences and expectations to 
the negotiating table in Brussels.

Inviting stakeholders to address 
the Plenary Session is one way in 
which the CoR has aimed to meet 
this objective, for example by 
giving Europe’s youth a chance to 
present an amendment to a CoR 
resolution. CoR Members have 
also taken up the opportunity to 

›
›

“Reflections on the Future 
of Europe should focus 
on the unity and respect 
for the diversity and local 
specificities needed to 
ensure a sustainable future 
for all EU citizens”

regularly speak at conferences 
and to engage in debate. Last but 
not least, the citizens’ initiative

Marking the 25th anniversary 
of the Maastricht Treaty, the 
CoR organised a youth citizens’ 
dialogue and visited the site 
where the Treaty establishing the 
CoR was signed. Moreover, the 
60th anniversary of the Treaty of 
Rome was an occasion to march 
for Europe with hundreds of 
enthusiastic citizens from across 
the EU.

Smart regions with smart robots: 
a winning formula

›
›

Brussels, 2017

38

Chapter5›››››››› 
Celebrating the creation of 
European Union citizenship

Maastricht, 2016

Francina Armengol I Socias, 
President of the Government of 
the Balearic Islands and Chair 
of NAT (PES/ES) with Herwig 
Van Staa, President of the Tyrol 
Regional Parliament (EPP/AT), 
showcasing & exchanging on EU 
added-value

 Innsbruck, 2016

Open Doors Day at the CoR

 Brussels, 2017

Christophe Rouillon, Mayor 
of Coulaines (PES/FR) 
sharing the CoR’s work 
with his local community 
via social media

Joining 5,000 
young people from 
across Europe for 
the YO!Fest

 Maastricht, 2016

39

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
40

››››CoR delegation 
marks the 25th 
anniversary of the 
Maastricht Treaty 
hosted by Theo 
Bovens, Governor 
of the Province of 
Limburg (EPP/NL)

 Maastricht, 2017

Markku Markkula and 
François Decoster, 
Vice-president of the 
Nord-Pas-de-Calais-
Picardie Regional 
Council (ALDE/FR) 
‘March for Europe’ 
to mark the 60th 
anniversary of the 
Rome Treaties 

 Rome, 2017 

Europe’s youth 
present an 
amendment to 
the CoR resolution 
on the draft 
resolution on the 
60th anniversary of 
the signature of the 
Treaty of Rome

 Brussels, 2017

  I stand before you 
today to ask you 
to support our 
amendment, which 
calls for a more 
accessible, open 
and responsive 
Europe; a Europe 
that takes our 
problems seriously 
and takes steps to 
solve them. The 
youth of Europe is 
ready to make our 
voice heard.”

  Olivia Sokel
youth participant 
in the CoR Plenary 
Session

  The Maastricht 
Treaty was the birth 
certificate of our 
own Committee of 
the Regions… and 
also introduced 
the citizenship of 
the Union. As far 
as I am concerned, 
that European 
citizenship is not 
just something on 
paper – it needs to 
be given shape in 
actual practice.”

  Theo Bovens
King’s Commissioner 
of the Dutch Province 
of Limburg (EPP/NL)

41

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
 
42

››››43
Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace & unity in Europe. 

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››  Citizens rightly 
expect more from 
the European 
project means a 
far more flexible 
approach to local 
public investment 
to demonstrate that 
the EU does benefit 
the daily lives of 
every citizen.” 

  Karl-Heinz Lambertz
CoR 
First Vice-President 
(PES/BE)

  We can go far in 
Europe but only if 
we work together, 
with our citizens 
and beyond borders 
and levels of 
government. This is 
what Europe Day is 
all about..”

  Markku Markkula
CoR President 
(EPP/FI)

Celebrating 
Europe’s diversity 
with a festival of 
regions and cities 
on the occasion of 
the EU institutions’ 
open doors day

Brussels, 2017

Reflecting on 
Europe with the 
EU youth party 
representatives & 
CoR Members

  Maastricht, 2017

Looking to the 
future of the EU 
27 with Michel 
Barnier, Chief 
Negotiator in the 
EU Taskforce 
on Article 50 
negotiations 
with the United 
Kingdom

44

›››› 
 
 
45

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››Reflecting on Europe: 
dialogue with citizens

›
›

We make the 
commitment
to have the 
citizens’ voices 
heard

Local artist sketches feedback from 
citizens’ debate.

›
›

Athens, 2017 

the year. Through the survey 
and the participation of over 
170 Members, this represents an 
unprecedented effort for the CoR, 
reaching directly over 20 000 
people in around 160 regions and 
cities across Europe by the end of 
2017. 

Our exchanges with other 
associations, debates with local 
and regional politicians across 
the EU, townhall and local events 
and the online survey provide 
a wealth of evidence. This will 
inform the Opinion requested by 
the European Council President, 
which will be adopted during 
the CoR’s Plenary Session on 4th 
and 5th July 2018. The President 
and First Vice-President will be 
co-Rapporteurs, showing the 
political importance the CoR 
attaches to this process. 

As the decision-makers closest to 
the citizens, the Members of the 
CoR have made the commitment 
to open dialogues with the people 
of Europe by launching the 
“Reflecting on Europe” initiative. 
This initiative has offered a 
space for citizens to present their 
concerns, thoughts and ideas 
about the future of Europe and 
is an attempt to rebuild trust 
between them and the European 
Union. 

Against the backdrop of the 
25th anniversary of the Treaty 
of Maastricht in December 2016 
and the 60th anniversary of the 
Treaty of Rome on 25 March 2017, 
Donald Tusk, President of the 
European Council, requested that 
the CoR draw up an opinion on 
the theme “Reflecting on Europe: 
the voice of regional and local 
authorities to rebuild trust in the 
European Union”.

In collaboration with its local 
and regional partners, the CoR 
has already organised more 
than 50 local debates all over 
Europe over the last year, and 
more than 80 further town hall 
meetings/citizens’ dialogues 
are foreseen before the end of 

46

››››Chapter6›››› 
Celebrating Europe’s diversity with 
a “Festival of Regions and Cities” on 
Europe Day at the CoR. 

Brussels, 2017

Reflecting on Europe banner 
welcomes participants to one of 
the 50 citizens dialogues.

Giorgos Kaminis, Mayor of 
Athens (PES/EL) addressing 
participants at a local town 
hall debate.

 Athens, 2017

Audience members 
posing questions 
to the panel in 
Citizens’ Dialogue: 
Europe, the voice of 
Citizenship. 

 Gijon, 2016

In parallel with the “Open Doors Day” of the 
EU institutions, the CoR organised a debate 
with pro-European citizens’ initiatives. 

 Brussels, 2017

47

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

48

››››Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

The aim of the initiative is to go local, listen to regional and local 
authorities and citizens and represent their views and opinions in the 
ongoing debate on what Europe should look like.

The local event in 
Salerno represents 
the kick off of the 
CoR Reflecting 
campaign. 

 Salerno, 2017

The Athens 
Citizens’ Debate 
was held in a 
fully participatory 
way, creating the 
conditions for a 
truly interactive 
dialogue. 

 Athens, 2017

The first citizens 
dialogue supported 
by the CoR in 
Croatia.

 Dubrovnik, 2016

49

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››50

››››One more selfie from the Reflecting on Europe dialogue from the heart of Transylvania - 10 years of being a European city.
51
Cluj Napoca, 2017

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

52

››››  We must switch 
from a Brussels 
approach to a 
regional and local 
driven approach.” 

  Markku Markkula
President of the CoR 
(EPP/FI)

  EU cohesion is 
clearly a success 
story. It helps create 
jobs, stimulate 
growth and makes 
the life of millions 
of European 
citizens easier.” 

  Ian Borg
Parliamentary
secretary for EU
funds of Malta and
President of the
Counci 

For the CoR, 
consistently 
informing 
participants is a 
key to helping them 
formulate their 
thoughts and views 
on what they want 
from Europe

Europe – what 
future? - Reflecting 
on Europe aimed to 
engage participants 
into a civil dialogue 
about the future of 
the EU.

 Gdynia, 2017

A citizens’ debate 
under the brand 
‘rEUnion: Reflecting 
on Europe’ project 
in Malta during 
the member state’s 
presidency of the 
Council of the EU.

 Malta, 2017

Bratislava Summit
& Rifkin conference

53

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion›››› 
 
Perspectives: 
The job is not yet finished

›
›

Karl-Heinz Lambertz
First Vice-President of the 
European Committee of the 
Regions

with the other EU institutions, 
strengthen ties with the 
regional offices and cooperate 
with every local and regional 
association network across 
Europe. 

But none of this is possible 
without its largest asset: its 
Members.Together, and with 
the professional support of 
our entire administration, we 
must reaffirm our belief in the 
EU’s values of justice, equality 
and diversity, but this must 
be grounded in delivering 
in partnership across our 
regions and cities. To make 
the case that this is where 
Europe’s future lies.

President Markkula must be 
commended for steadying the 
reins of our Committee during 
one of the most turbulent times 
in Europe’s history. The EU is 
now moving forward yet we 
cannot be complacent. It must 
demonstrate it can deliver 
growth, reduce disparities, 
tackle climate change, and do so 
in unity. My passion throughout 
my political career has been 
breaking down borders. 
Between people of different 
languages, communities and 
political faiths. And of course 
between different countries and 
regions. This book shows that 
local and regional authorities 
are cooperating across Europe 
but to do this with even more 
vigour into the future, they need 
the right tools.  This is why 
cohesion policy must continue 
to be at the heart of bringing 
the EU together and why our 
Committee will continue to 
champion for a stronger and 
more visible cohesion policy 
after 2020. 

The EU not only needs local 
and regional leaders to shape 
EU policy, but to communicate 
Europe. We must build on the 
success of our “Reflecting 
on Europe” initiative and, 
ahead of the European 2019  
elections, continue to stress 
Europe is there to represent, 
listen and improve the lives 
of all its communities. Our 
Committee must build on 
its well established relations 

54

Europe’s Regions and Citiesin Motion››››Walking with 
Donald Tusk, 
President of the 
European Council

 Brussels, 2016

Federica Mogherini, High representative 
of the European Union for Foreign Affairs 
and Security Policy, intervenes on the 
role of regional and local authorities in 
the context of the EU’s external action at 
the CoR Plenary Session.

 Brussels, 2015

55

Europe’s Regions and Cities in Motion››››A dedicated e-survey (www.cor.europa.eu/debate.go), also available in the form of a mobile app, allows 
people to share their opinions and expectations for the European project. In in a parallel effort to reach out 
to local and regional authorities, over 500 regional assemblies are being directly consulted to retrieve their 
views on the future of the European Union.

The local debates (cor.europa.eu/reflectingeumap.go) and their results (cor.europa.eu/debateresults.go) 
are summarised via online maps and participants will be consistently informed about the CoR action to 
represent their views (cor.europa.eu/reflectingeu-email-en.go).

56

››››We, the Leaders of 27 Member States and of EU institutions, take pride in the achievements of the 
European Union: the construction of European unity is a bold, far-sighted endeavour. Sixty years ago, 
recovering from the tragedy of two world wars, we decided to bond together and rebuild our continent from 
its ashes. We have built a unique Union with common institutions and strong values, a community of 
peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, a major economic power with unparalleled 
levels of social protection and welfare… 

In the ten years to come we want a Union that is safe and secure, prosperous, competitive, sustainable and 
socially responsible, and with the will and capacity of playing a key role in the world and of shaping 
globalisation. We want a Union where citizens have new opportunities for cultural and social development 
and economic growth. We want a Union which remains open to those European countries that respect our 
values and are committed to promoting them… 

We will pursue these objectives, ﬁrm in the belief that Europe's future lies in our own hands and that the 
European Union is the best instrument to achieve our objectives. We pledge to listen and respond to the 
concerns expressed by our citizens and will engage with our national parliaments. We will work together 
at the level that makes a real difference, be it the European Union, national, regional, or local, and in a spirit 
of trust and loyal cooperation, both among Members States and between them and the EU institutions, in 
line with the principle of subsidiarity. We will allow for the necessary room for manoeuvre at the various 
levels to strengthen Europe's innovation and growth potential. We want the Union to be big on big issues 
and small on small ones. We will promote a democratic, effective and transparent decision-making 
process and better delivery. 

We as Leaders, working together within the European Council and among our institutions, will ensure that 
today's agenda is implemented, so as to become tomorrow's reality. We have united for the better. Europe is 
our common future.

25 March 2017, Rome

FINDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE EU

Online: Information about the European Union in all the oﬃcial languages of the EU is available on the Europa website at: http://europa.eu

EU publications: You can download or order free and priced EU publications from EU Bookshop at: http://bookshop.europa.eu.
Multiple copies of free publications may be obtained by contacting Europe Direct or your local information centre (see http://europa.eu/contact).

EU law and related documents: For access to legal information from the EU, including all EU law since 1951 in all the oﬃcial language versions, go 
to EUR-Lex at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu"

Open data from the EU: The EU Open Data Portal (http://data.europa.eu/euodp/en/data) provides access to datasets from the EU. Data can be 
downloaded and reused for free, for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.      

© European Union, 2017
Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged.

Declaration of the leaders of 27 member states and of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European CommissionThe Rome DeclarationEurope’s
Europe’s
Regions
Cities
Regions Cities
nMotionMotion

n
i
i

d
d
n
n
a
a

Catalogue N°: QG-02-23-060-EN-N
ISBN: 978-92-895-2739-2
Doi: 10.2863/286685

© European Union, 2017

E
u
r
o
p
e
a
n
C
o
m
m

i
t
t
e
e
o
f

t
h
e
R
e
g
o
n
s

i

’

E
u
r
o
p
e
s
R
e
g
i
o
n
s
a
n
d
C
i
t
i
e
s
i
n
M
o
t
i
o
n

Created in 1994, after the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty, the European Committee of the Regions is the EU’s assembly 
of 350 regional and local representatives from all 28 Member States, representing over 507 million Europeans. Its mission is to 
involve regional and local authorities and the communities they represent in the EU’s decision-making process and to inform 
them about EU policies. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council consult the Committee in policy 
areas affecting regions and cities. It can appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union if its rights are infringed or it 
believes that EU law infringes the subsidiarity principle or fails to respect regional or local powers.

Edited by the Directorate for Communication of the European Committee of the Regions

Brussels, July 2017 — CdR_3338

Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 101   |

|   BELGIQUE/BELGIË 

@EU_CoR   |   

|   e-mail: PublicationsCdR@cor.europa.eu   |   www.cor.europa.eu 
/european.committee.of.the.regions   |   

/european-committee-of-the-regions