.jpg?w=1068&resize=1068,0&ssl=1 "#CoRplenary: local leaders will discuss with Portuguese Prime Minister Costa and EP President Sassoli how to build a social Europe and how to bring EU closer to people")
Also on #CoRplenary agenda: former President of the European Council, Herman Von Rompuy, discusses the CoR contribution to the Conference on the Future of Europe, EU Commissioner Dalli reviews efforts to build a Union of Equality and Jens Zimmer Christensen, President of the HOTREC Association, and the Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism Rita Marques, discuss the situation of the tourism industry in Europe.
António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal, and European Parliament President, David Sassoli, will attend on 5 May the CoR Plenary session to discuss social Europe and the upcoming Conference on the future of Europe. On 6 May regional and local leaders will discuss with Commissioner Helena Dalli how to strengthen a Europe of equality. On 7 May a debate on the recovery in the hotel and catering sector will take place with Jens Zimmer Christensen, President of the HOTREC Association, the umbrella association of hotels, restaurants and cafés in Europe. On 7 May Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council, will discuss with regional and local authorities the CoR contribution to the Conference on the Future of Europe, in his capacity as chairman of the High-Level Group on European Democracy recently created by the CoR.
Follow the plenary on the CoR website
5 May: Debate with António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal, on the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union
António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal and former member of the CoR, will provide his perspective and the position of EU Member States on the priorities of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union: promoting Europe’s economic recovery, implementing the Social Pillar of the European Union, and strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy.
5 May: Debate with David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament
David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, will discuss the European Parliament’s expectations of Conference on the Future of Europe and other matters of concern to the assembly. The Conference on the Future of Europe will be launched on Europe Day (9 May), with the involvement of the European Committee of the Regions. During the plenary the political groups of the European Committee of the Regions will also present a resolution on the Conference on the Future of Europe for debate and adoption.
6 May: Debate on the Union of Equality with EU Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli
Helena Dalli, the European Commissioner for Equality, will set out the European Commission’s efforts to build a ‘Union of Equality’ by policies and actions that challenge structural discrimination and common stereotypes, for better decision-making and so that everyone can live and thrive regardless of differences based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.
7 May: Debate on the recovery in the hotel and catering sector with Jens Zimmer Christensen, President of the HOTREC Association, the umbrella association of hotels, restaurants and cafés in Europe, and the Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism, Rita Marques will discuss the situation of the tourism industry in Europe. During the plenary, members of the European Committee of the Regions will consider a resolution on free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic – including the ‘Digital Green Certificate’ – and the scaling up of vaccine production.
7 May: Debate on the Conference on the Future of Europe
Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council, will discuss the Conference on the Future of Europe with members, in his capacity as chairman of the High-Level Group on European Democracy recently created by the European Committee of the Regions.
KEY DEBATES
Wednesday, 5 May, 2:30 p.m.: Debate with António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal.
Wednesday, 5 May, 4.30 p.m.: Debate with David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament.
Thursday, 6 May, 9.00 a.m.: Debate on the Union of Equality, with Helena Dalli, Commissioner for Equality
Friday, 7 May, 9.30 p.m.: Debate on the recovery in the hotel and catering sector
Friday, 7 May, 11.30 a.m.: Debate on the Conference on the Future of Europe, with Herman Van Rompuy, Chair of the CoR’s High-Level Group on European Democracy
RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION
· Resolution on the Conference on the Future of Europe.
· Resolution on free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic (Digital Green Certificate) and the scaling up of vaccine production.
OPINIONS FOR ADOPTION
· Experiences and lessons learned by regions and cities during the COVID-19 crisis. Rapporteur: Joke Schauvliege (BE/EPP), Member of the Flemish Parliament.
· European Health Union: Reinforcing the EU’s resilience. Rapporteur: Roberto Ciambetti (IT/ECR), President and Member of the Veneto Regional Council.
· Regulation for tackling cross-border health threats and legislative proposal for changing the mandate of the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC). Rapporteur: Olgierd Geblewicz (PL/EPP), President of West Pomerania Region.
· Europe’s pharmaceutical strategy and legislative proposal for changing the mandate of the European Medical Agency (EMA). Rapporteur: Birgitta Sacrédeus (SE/EPP), Member of Dalarna Regional Council.
· Safe and sustainable chemicals for a toxic-free environment in Europe’s cities and regions. Rapporteur: Adam Struzik (PL/EPP), President of Mazovia Region.
· Local and regional authorities protecting the marine environment. Rapporteur: Emma Nohrèn (SE/Greens), deputy mayor of Lysekil.
· Powering a climate-neutral economy: An EU Strategy for Energy System Integration. Rapporteur: Gunārs Ansiņš (LV/Renew Europe), Member of Liepāja City Council.
· Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027. Rapporteur-General: Gillian Coughlan (IE/Renew Europe), Member of Cork County Council.
· Media in the Digital Decade: An Action Plan. Rapporteur: Jan Trei (EE/EPP), Member of Viimsi Rural Municipality Council.
· The implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights from a local and regional perspective. Rapporteur-General: Anne Karjalainen (FI/PES), member of Kerava City Council.
· A Union of equality: EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025. Rapporteur: Yoomi Renström (SE/PES), Member of Ovanåker Municipal Council.
· A Union of Equality: Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. Rapporteur-General: Daniela Ballico (IT/ECR), Mayor of Ciampino.
· Enlargement Package 2020. Rapporteur: Nikola Dobroslavić (HR/EPP), President of Dubrovnik-Neretva Region.
Practical information:
Location: Online only.
Date: Wednesday, 5 May – Friday, 7 May 2021.
Background material: The plenary agenda and opinions and amendments.
Webstreaming: On the website of the CoR.
