Apostolos Tzitzikostas

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions, receives the International Medal of the Community of Madrid

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Friday, June 25, 2021
Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, Autonomous communities of Spain, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Union, European Committee of the Regions, Government of the Community of Madrid, Community of Madrid, Madrid, President

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  • You are here > > News > Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions, receives the Internation...
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  • Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions, receives the International Medal of the Community of Madrid
    President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, presented the award in recognition of the support given to the region
    The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, has received the International Medal of the Community of Madrid in recognition of his "unconditional support" to the region, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • During the ceremony held in the Royal House of the Post Office of Madrid, seat of the regional government, President Apostolos Tzitzikostas , said: "It is a great honour to receive the International Medal of the Community of Madrid.
  • The International Medal of the Community of Madrid was created by the regional government of Madrid in 2017 to award representatives of other countries or international organisations in recognition of their institutional work.

Speech of the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, at the inaugural session of the Plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

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Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Committee of the Regions

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Key Points: 
  • You are here > > News > Speech of the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, at the ina...
    Click here to get an automatic translation of the text below.
  • Speech of the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, at the inaugural session of the Plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe.
  • Union is involved in his or her everyday life, do you
    think will you get the right answer?
  • Right on the contrary: Europe is
    work with our Members, through our local dialogues with
    associations and political families.

Regional leaders call to avoid competition between cohesion policy and over-centralised EU Recovery Plan

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Thursday, May 20, 2021
Organizations, Articles, European Union, European Committee of the Regions, Regionalism, Regional policy of the European Union, Cohesion, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Structural cohesion, Region

b'Press release 18/05/2021 | Cohesion policy reform; European Structural and Investment Funds\n\xe2\x80\x8b\xe2\x80\x8bThe CoR\'s President invited the EU Ministers responsible for cohesion policy to create real partnership among EU, national, regional and local actors to deliver the recovery that our citizens need\nThe President of the European Committee of the Regions Apostolos Tzitzikostas intervened today at the informal meeting of Ministers responsible for cohesion policy.

Key Points: 
  • b'Press release 18/05/2021 | Cohesion policy reform; European Structural and Investment Funds\n\xe2\x80\x8b\xe2\x80\x8bThe CoR\'s President invited the EU Ministers responsible for cohesion policy to create real partnership among EU, national, regional and local actors to deliver the recovery that our citizens need\nThe President of the European Committee of the Regions Apostolos Tzitzikostas intervened today at the informal meeting of Ministers responsible for cohesion policy.
  • The pandemic has a differentiated socio-economic impact and all recovery measures need to take this reality into account.
  • Only a true partnership among EU, national, regional and local actors can deliver the recovery that our citizens need.
  • As national plans come in, we must ensure that these plans do not harm cohesion through the so-called structural reforms.

Launch of the Network of Former Members of the European Committee of the Regions

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Monday, May 10, 2021
European Committee of the Regions, Regionalism, Cor, Given names, Apostolos Tzitzikostas

b'\xe2\x80\x8b\xe2\x80\x8b\xe2\x80\x8b\xe2\x80\x8bThe President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas, officially launched the Network of Former Members of the European Committee of the Regions, a new CoR initiative, at the 144th CoR Plenary in the presence of Portuguese Prime Minister Ant\xc3\xb3nio Costa, a former CoR member himself.\nThe Network , counting now more than 170 members,\xc2\xa0brings together former members and alternates of the CoR and gives them the possibility to continue following the CoR\'s political work and activities.

Key Points: 
  • b'\xe2\x80\x8b\xe2\x80\x8b\xe2\x80\x8b\xe2\x80\x8bThe President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas, officially launched the Network of Former Members of the European Committee of the Regions, a new CoR initiative, at the 144th CoR Plenary in the presence of Portuguese Prime Minister Ant\xc3\xb3nio Costa, a former CoR member himself.\nThe Network , counting now more than 170 members,\xc2\xa0brings together former members and alternates of the CoR and gives them the possibility to continue following the CoR\'s political work and activities.
  • It will encourage and provide communication support for their initiatives organised in their regions and cities.\n"The Network will help us to increase our political outreach, including within the national level where many Members play important political roles.
  • I believe that this will also nourish our discussions about the functioning and the future of the Union.
  • Together, I hope that we will bring Europe closer to people", said Mr Tzitzikostas in his speech.\n'

Dombrovskis joins local authorities' call on national governments to better involve regions and cities in preparation of national recovery plans

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Friday, March 19, 2021
Articles, Organizations, CEMR, Cor, Psychological resilience, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Resilience, European Union, Region, Ecological resilience, Recovery plan

CoR consultation shows that the vast majority of

Key Points: 
  • CoR consultation shows that the vast majority of
    regions and cities are excluded from the preparation of
    post-COVID recovery plans, despite being key in
    fighting the emergency.
  • European Commission commits to
    take this crucial factor into account when assessing
    national plans.
  • The results of a recent consultation
    carried out by CoR and CEMR highlight that many EU
    governments are excluding regions and cities from
    the preparation of post-COVID recovery plans.
  • Opening the Plenary's debate, the President of the CoR
    Apostolos Tzitzikostas
    highlighted that "t
    op-down receipts and centralisation would seriously
    undermine the impact of the EU recovery funding.
  • We
    welcome the European Commission's commitment to
    take this crucial factor into account when
    assessing and adopting national plans

    ."

  • Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said:"
    Member States are working hard to draw up Recovery
    and Resilience Plans.
  • CoR members also discussed to what extent a reformed EU
    trade policy could contribute to the economic recovery.
  • Background:
    The European CoR and the Council of European
    Municipalities and Regions (
    CEMR
    ) carried out a joint consultation on the involvement
    of local and regional authorities in the preparation of
    the national Recovery and Resilience plans.

The European Pillar of Social Rights must be delivered in partnership with local and regional authorities

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Friday, March 5, 2021
European Committee of the Regions, Regionalism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Cor

The President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Apostolos Tzitzikostas said: "The COVID health emergency is becoming a social emergency.

Key Points: 
  • The President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Apostolos Tzitzikostas said: "The COVID health emergency is becoming a social emergency.
  • The Portuguese presidency of the Council of the EU has asked the CoR to prepare an opinion on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights from a local and regional perspective.
  • Local and regional authorities are key to not only implementing the Action Plan, but also monitoring progress with the regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights.
  • The CoR strongly believes that regional monitoring is needed to ensure that the Social Pillar is implemented at all levels and that regional investments are geared towards achieving the principles of the Pillar.

Herman Van Rompuy to chair CoR High-Level group on European democracy to reinforce the regional and local dimension of the Conference on the future of Europe

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 11, 2020
Given names, Herman Van Rompuy, European Union, European Committee of the Regions, European culture, Van Rompuy, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Herman, President of the European Council
Key Points: 
  • The European Committee of the Regions establishes a
    High-Level group on democracy, which will be
    chaired by Herman van Rompuy, reiterating the call
    for the Conference on the future of Europe to be
    convened as soon as possible.
  • The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) will
    establish the High-Level Group to support its political
    and institutional mission by providing strategic
    political analysis.
  • Herman van Rompuy
    has been appointed as chairperson of the High-Level
    Group, which will be composed by seven "wise" men and
    women.
  • The CoR's President and Governor of the Greek Central
    Macedonia Region,
    Apostolos Tzitzikostas
    said:"
    I warmly thank Herman Van Rompuy for accepting my
    proposal
    to chair the High-Level group.
  • His European vision
    and commitment
    will
    bring an inestimable added value to the CoR's work
    throughout the Conference on the future of Europe

    .

  • Herman Van Rompuy commented:"
    I thank very much the European Committee of the
    Regions for offering me the Chairmanship of the
    High-Level Group on European Democracy.
  • The CoR is committed to
    actively participate in this process strengthening the
    link between the Union, its citizens and the one
    million elected regional and local politicians across
    Europe.

CoR and EU Commission launch partnership to help local authorities integrate migrants and implement the New Pact on Migration and Asylum

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Friday, December 11, 2020
Organizations, European Committee of the Regions, Regionalism, Articles, International organizations, Cor, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Union

The new partnership on integration will support cities and regions in the EU through three main strands of work:Building an open and regular dialogue between EU institutions and local and regional authorities on integration;Building capacity and promoting exchange of experiences for local and regional authorities;Improving evidence and data on integration at the local level.The partnership was announced by the President of the Committee of the Regions (COR), Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, at today's COR plenary session.

Key Points: 
  • The new partnership on integration will support cities and regions in the EU through three main strands of work:
    • Building an open and regular dialogue between EU institutions and local and regional authorities on integration;
    • Building capacity and promoting exchange of experiences for local and regional authorities;
    • Improving evidence and data on integration at the local level.
    • The partnership was announced by the President of the Committee of the Regions (COR), Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, at today's COR plenary session.
    • The EU must support regions, cities and islands such as Lesbos, Lampedusa and the Canary Islands that are in the frontline to provide support, integration and other services to newly arrived migrants.
    • The partnership will support their efforts and show concretely that the EU is by their side in addressing the many challenges they are faced with''.
    • The CoR will agree its recommendations on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum at its plenary session in March 2021.
    • The CoR's rapporteur,
      Antje Grotheer (DE/PES), Vice-President of Bremen City Parliament, said:" Addressing migration does not begin nor end with the reception of migrants and refugees.
    • The EU's next long-term budget foresees much greater EU funding for integration projects and programs in 2021-27.
    • Further information: The photos of the 141st plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions are available in the
      CoR Flickr gallery .

    • Cities and regions urge the EU budget and recovery plan adoption

    Retrieved on: 
    Friday, November 20, 2020
    Organizations, Articles, European Committee of the Regions, Regionalism, Budget of the European Union, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Union

    On Tuesday 10 November, the European Parliament budget negotiators and the Council Presidency reached an agreement outlining the 2021-27 EU budget and the recovery fund.

    Key Points: 
    • On Tuesday 10 November, the European Parliament budget negotiators and the Council Presidency reached an agreement outlining the 2021-27 EU budget and the recovery fund.
    • Cities and regions are deeply concerned that this veto will slow down the implementation of the 1.8 trillion new long-term EU budget and the coronavirus recovery package.
    • Funds which are urgently needed funds to address the negative impact of the corona in Europes cities and regions.
    • Cities and regions are on the frontline of the pandemic and the recovery and need EU resources for vital investment to be available as of January 2021", saidApostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions.

    The regions – working for industrial, social and environmental recovery in the EU

    Retrieved on: 
    Thursday, October 22, 2020
    European Union, Articles, Geography of the European Union, Region, European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Interreg, Psychological resilience

    To find out more about the annual regional and local barometer:Annual Regional and Local Barometer:main findingsAnnual Regional and Local Barometer:results for France (in French)Annual Regional and Local Barometer:the full reportAnnual Regional and Local Barometer:opinion poll by Kantar, country-specific results also availableAnnual Regional and Local Barometer:the health impact, summary, statistical dataAnnual Regional and Local Barometer:the regional economic impact, summary, statistical data.The widening gap between rural and urban areas presents a clear threat to the cohesion of the Union - not least in digital terms.

    Key Points: 
  • To find out more about the annual regional and local barometer:
    • Annual Regional and Local Barometer:main findings
    • Annual Regional and Local Barometer:results for France (in French)
    • Annual Regional and Local Barometer:the full report
    • Annual Regional and Local Barometer:opinion poll by Kantar, country-specific results also available
    • Annual Regional and Local Barometer:the health impact, summary, statistical data
    • Annual Regional and Local Barometer:the regional economic impact, summary, statistical data.
    • The widening gap between rural and urban areas presents a clear threat to the cohesion of the Union - not least in digital terms.
    • He strongly advocated decentralising the management of recovery funds and a green and digital transition, and argued for greater cross-border cooperation, including in the field of public health.
    • EU cohesion policy, including the REACT EU instrument and the simplifications through the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII), is key to fighting this trend and spearheading the economic, social and environmental recovery of Europe, as well as building resilience and overcoming regional disparities.
    • Apostolos Tzitzikostas expanded on the need to involve the regions in designing and implementing EU recovery plans:"No recovery plan that fails to take account of the diversity of our towns and regions, or which is not based on national responses, will get anywhere!
    • The regions must be closely involved in recovery initiatives, as they better than anyone else know what works on the ground.
    • BACKGROUND The Barometer offers a snapshot of the impact of the social, economic and health crisis on EU's regions and cities.
    • European Committee of the Regions opinions on the EU recovery plan: The
      REACT-EU package, rapporteur MieczysawStruk (PL/EPP), President of the Pomorskie Region.
    • The
      Recovery plan for Europe: Recovery and Resilience Facility and Technical Support Instrument, rapporteur- general Christophe Rouillon (FR/PES), President of the Socialist Group at the CoR and Mayor of Coulaines.