ECR News European Committee of the Regions | 25th edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS ECR GROUP OPINIONS Cross-Border Public Services European Health Union Smart Rail Circular Economy
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EUROPEAN UNION POLITICS European Commission President 4 Sovereignty 4 German Presidency 5 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Migration Crisis 6 Montenegro 6 Western Balkans 7 COVID-19 PANDEMIC Recovery Funds 7 Małopolska 8 ECONOMY & JOBS Localised Recovery European Investment Bank Job Creation Lubelskie Transport
ECR President addresses Chancellor Merkel and Commission President von der Leyen
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ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY EWRC 12 Future Generations 12 Rural Areas 13 Financial Support 13 Green Cooperation 14 ELECTIONS Czech Elections
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AWARDS Mayor Stoyanov
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ECR Group Secretariat Committee of the Regions
ECR President Władysław Ortyl
During the October plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions, ECR President Władysław Ortyl spoke on behalf of the Group directly to German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. Marshal Ortyl emphasized the need for increased European unity and cooperation not only with respect to addressing the COVID-19 crisis, but also in tackling illegal immigration, deepening the Single Market, and improving the EU Green Deal. Furthermore, Mr Ortyl underlined that policy priorities must remain realistic and incorporate the diverse needs of localities throughout Europe.
Rob Jonkman: The European Investment Bank must prioritise economic recovery On the final day of the European Committee of the Region’s autumn plenary session, ECR First Vice-President Rob Jonkman, an Alderman of the Opsterland municipality in the Netherlands, addressed the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB). Mr Jonkman emphasised that EIB acted positively in taking some of the weight off the shoulders of local and regional authorities by offering tangible investments in order to help avoid more negative fallout as a result of the recession. He praised the EUR 8 billion to support small- to medium- sized enterprises and the EIB’s investment in ground-breaking medical research relating to finding treatment for the COVID-19 virus.
ECR First Vice-President Rob Jonkman
Nello Musumeci calls for reform and realism in response to Moria
ECR Member Nello Musumeci
During a debate on the Moria crisis during the CoR’s plenary session in October, the President of Sicily, Nello Musumeci, pointed out how the Moria situation was not the first crisis of its kind. Mr Musumeci drew from his own experience in Italy by discussing the large influx of migrants coming to the South of Italy on a yearly basis. He called on EU institutions and Member States to address immigration through strengthened border security, while also building stronger relations with third countries to prevent more economic migrants from attempting to illegally cross into Europe.
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