Mr Poręba went on to say that the macroregional strategy expanded the discussions regarding the importance of the Carpathian region in EU institutions, which is particularly valuable in the context of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of 2021-2027. Mr Poręba shared his personal thoughts with the Commission: “In light of the growing importance of territorial cooperation, the inclusion of the Carpathian regions and states in
this joint strategy provides an opportunity to work in concert with the region and carry out activities tailored to the specific needs and priorities of citizens in this vital territory”. It is for these reasons that Tomasz Poręba MEP requested information as to what actions the European Commission and specifically, the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy is taking and intends to take with respect to the initiative. Mr Poręba also reminded the
Commission that the Carpathian macro-region encompasses a large number of regions with the lowest level of economic development in the EU, which, in the context of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, may contribute to hindering the region’s development and exasperate the economic differences between Europe’s regions. Thus the need for the EU to have a responsible and engaging initiative approach with local and regional authorities in the Carpathian macro-region is paramount.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION JCC Montenegro, an exciting new vision On 9 May, Roberto Ciambetti, ECR member and President of the Regional Council of Veneto met with Aleksandar Kašćelan, the Mayor of the former Royal Capital City of Cetinje in Montenegro via teleconference. The two men are the Co-Chairs for the Joint Consultative Committee of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and Montenegro.
Mayor of Cetinje, Aleksander Kašćelan
These talks demonstrated how CoR members are constantly engaged in cooperation with local and regional authorities in EU candidate countries, including Montenegro. The two Co-Chairs exchanged information on the state of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Ciambetti’s Veneto region was among the first and hardest hit in Europe. In Montenegro, on the other hand, the total number of cases were low and as of 13 May in Cetinje, there have been no confirmed cases. However, both Veneto, like the whole of Italy, and Cetinje, like the whole of Montenegro, have suffered heavy economic losses due to the halt of virtually all economic activities through the lockdown period. National, regional, and local authorities are helping the local businesses, especially small and me-
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ECR member and President of the Veneto Regional Council, Roberto Ciambetti
dium sized ones. Both politicians agreed that more help needs to come from the EU.
Regional Council when circumstances allow, an offer Mr Kašćelan heartily accepted.
The two Co-Chairs expanded the discussion by exchanging ideas on common solutions to mitigate the economic impact of the crisis. The tourism sector has been severely affected by the economic crisis and both EU regions and regions within Montenegro will act together to be able to revive both sides of the Adriatic Sea as soon as possible. The topic of discussion then moved toward the draft five-year JCC Montenegro Work Programme and the future of cooperation in general. The Co-Chairs decided to intensify their contacts before the next JCC Montenegro meeting, which will lead to a concentration of joint actions. Mr Ciambetti also invited his Montenegrin counterpart to visit him in the Veneto
This was the first informal meeting between JCC Montenegro Co-Chairs in the new CoR mandate. Normally one meeting of JCC Montenegro is held in the first half of the year in Brussels, which is organised by the European Committee of the Regions as part of its Enlargement Day. Enlargement Day is the main annual EU enlargement event in Brussels. The second annual meeting of the JCC Montenegro takes place in Montenegro in autumn. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic there will be no large in-person conferences in Brussels during the first half of 2020. This makes the meeting between Mr Ciambetti and Mr Kašćelan even more important.
