The programme of the 9th Summit of Regions and Cities, to be held in Marseille on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 March, has been changed around due to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
“This Summit in Marseille gathers thousands of European leaders against the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The leaders will stand together in solidarity, for peace, democracy, dialogue and fundamental rights for the people of Ukraine and will discuss how to offer them concrete help”, said European Committee of the Regions President Apostolos Tzitzikostas (EPP, Greece) ahead of the summit.
On Wednesday evening, 2 March, the CoR’s political bureau is expected to adopt a declaration on the Ukrainian conflict, according to our information. The following day, the first two Thursday morning sessions initially planned will be merged.
The opening session will now be dedicated to solidarity with Ukraine and is planned to be attended by the French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, the Minister for Territorial Cohesion, Jacqueline Gourault, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and the President of the European Investment Bank, Werner Hoyer.
Wladimir Klitschko, in his capacity as mayor of the Ukrainian capital, is expected to make an appearance via video conference. However, his participation was still uncertain at the moment.
For Mr Tzitzikostas, it will be an opportunity to reaffirm the unity of Europe, its regions, cities and villages in the face of major challenges such as security, human rights protection, climate emergency, public services and regional disparities.
The summit will be structured around four axes: - the challenges facing local and regional authorities; - economic recovery and the issue of cohesion in the wake of the pandemic; - the values of European democracy; - the place and role of young people in the future of the European Union.
A manifesto on the future of Europe
The local and regional elected representatives will adopt their final demands for the Conference on the Future of Europe in a manifesto.
The manifesto should focus on greater involvement of local and regional authorities in the European decision-making process and on strengthening the democratic engagement of citizens, especially young people.
It should also highlight building an inclusive recovery from the pandemic and strengthening territorial and social cohesion in Europe in the context of the green and digital transition. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)