The President of the Andalusian Government and co-president of the Committee of the Regions, Juanma Moreno, has stated that cohesion, resilience, and proximity are the three major objectives and the basic priorities that will guide the activities of this European body over the next five years.
Moreno, who chaired the meeting of the presidents of the various political groups that make up this European body at the San Telmo Palace, along with the President of the CoR, Kata Tüttö, emphasized the importance of having a more cohesive and united Europe through better competitiveness and a budget that ensures regions can exercise their powers.
He reiterated that a more resilient Europe is necessary to respond effectively to threats in various areas such as security, the economy, the environment, and productive sectors.
He also added that we must work to increase proximity, listening to citizens, bringing them closer to institutions, and inviting them to participate. «We must address important priorities amidst the enormous uncertainty in the world and in Europe. Europe demands that all European leaders know how to face the challenges of society that are challenges of the present and the future and are important for our future.»
The Andalusian President and the President of the Committee of the Regions chatting in a room at San Telmo.
The Andalusian President highlighted that this is the first Conference of Presidents of the Legislature held outside of Brussels, making the Andalusian community a meeting place to set the course and priorities for these years in the body representing regions and cities in Europe.
He thanked the members of the Committee of the Regions for their work and enormous commitment, which is evident in the project to give this body increasing influence within the European Union. He also congratulated Kata Tüttö for the drive, enthusiasm, and desire for reform and transformation of the Committee of the Regions, something he described as very timely and positive for the role and representation of cities and regions.
Moreno emphasized that regions are an opportunity for Europe and noted that Europe is experiencing an important moment in its history amidst a climate of change and uncertainty.
Participants at the Conference of Presidents of the European Committee of the Regions.
He pointed out that Andalusia has a stable government, is the most populous region in Spain, the second largest, and the third largest economy in Spain.
The meeting also included Sari Rautio, President of the European People’s Party Group (Finland); Luca Menesini, President of the European Socialist Group (Italy); François Decoster, President of the Renew Europe Group (France); Marco Marsilio, President of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (Italy); Tadeusz Truskolaski, Vice-President of the Europe Alliance Group (Poland), and Nina Ratilainen, President of the Green Group (Finland).
Development of the Conference of Presidents of the Committee of the Regions, chaired by Moreno and Tutto.