Welcoming members of the Committee of the Regions to the European Parliament, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said that together we must work towards a Europe closer to people, that builds solutions from the ground up.
Ladies and gentlemen, It is a pleasure to speak to you today as you enter the fourth decade of the Committee of the Regions. Today, at 30 years old, you have cemented yourself as a critical part of European life.
We share a mission to connect citizens more directly to their institutions. Making our Union more democratic. Building a more ambitious, cohesive, local Europe. Because wherever you are, Europe always begins at ground level.
I learnt early on that all politics is local. I started my European journey in student politics and spent my formative years campaigning for my country’s accession to the European Union. Today, that personal connection built between Europe and Europeans is more important than ever. Looking around the world, we are increasingly seeing a disconnection between people and their politicians. And when people feel that their voices aren’t heard, they inevitably turn to extremism and populism for other answers.
Stronger regional representation must be part of our collective answer. And that is why this Committee is so important. Together, we don’t just connect people to Europe. We go further, to improve their lives in ways that would otherwise be impossible. Adapting regional funding to better reflect their reality. And tailoring sustainable, local-led strategies that help improve communities in real, tangible ways.
No one knows all this better than you. Many of you are on the frontlines of so many pressing issues that matter to our citizens. We see the results of this in real time, with citizens’ trust in regional and local authorities reaching 60% – its highest point in 10 years.
You have also proven yourself as an important actor on the international stage. From your action in Ukraine, where you are supporting reconstruction by regional authorities. President Zelenskyy addressed this very chamber yesterday. You would have seen the whole Chamber stand up and say with one voice that this House supports Ukraine for as long as it takes. Thank you for helping us in continuing that mission. And for all you do to promote democracy around the world.
And let me take this opportunity to thank you for your strengthened cooperation on the Memorandum of Understanding. Getting the call to vote out to people beyond capitals, into every region, town and village of our Union.
Looking ahead, the future seems a lot more uncertain. People are looking for solutions to the real, daily challenges ahead. We must rise to the challenge together, offering a vision of a better Europe. One that’s closer to its citizens. That has a stronger social fabric. That brings solutions from the ground up, not just from the top down.
We laid out this roadmap during the Week for Regions and Cities with the Committee’s annual priorities. Now, it’s time to put that ambition into action.
In the words of the winner of the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award, Local Democracy Agency Zavidovići: “Change is the result of a constant, long-term commitment.” In our 30 years of joint commitment, we have seen so much change for the better. I very much look forward to the next three decades of cooperation and success.
Thank you.