#CoRplenary: Local leaders to discuss democracy, the European way of life, and the Conference on the Future of Europe

Also on #CoRplenary agenda: Resolution on cross-border cooperation, and recommendations on Green Deal dossiers, digital services, smart mobility, and regional airports.

Three vice-presidents of the European Commission will address the European Committee of the Regions on 30 June, discussing efforts to strengthen and deepen democracy, build inclusive societies, and improve EU legislation. Vice-President Věra Jourová will present the European Democracy Action Plan to empower citizens and build more resilient democracies, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas will highlight the role of education and culture in protecting the European way of life, while Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič will set out the European Commission's work programme as well as the Commission's efforts to embed strategic foresight into its work. Members of the CoR will also discuss the Conference on the Future of Europe with the three MEPs leading the work of the European Parliament in the EU-wide consultation.

Follow the plenary on the CoR website

30 June: Debate with Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission, on better regulation, foresight and the European Commission's work programme

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission, will update local and regional leaders on the progress of the EU's Better Regulation Agenda, including the EU's efforts to improve outreach to regions and other stakeholders and how the Commission is seeking to integrate strategic foresight its agenda. He will also discuss the European Commission's Work Programme 2022; the CoR will at the plenary session adopt a resolution on the Work Programme. CoR contributions to the Better Regulation Agenda include its pioneering feedback mechanism, RegHub 2.0.

30 June: Debate with Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, on promoting the European way of life

The CoR will welcome Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission for Promoting our European Way of Life, to its plenary for a debate on the role of education and culture in creating inclusive societies.

30 June: Debate with members of the executive board members of the Conference on the Future of Europe

MEPs Manfred Weber (DE/EPP), Guy Verhofstadt (BE/RE), and Iratxe García Pérez (ES/S&D) will join the European Committee of the Regions to discuss the recently launched Conference on the Future of Europe. The Conference will entail months consultations to identify areas of life on which citizens would like to see the EU focus its work, leading to a set of recommendations for EU decision-makers in spring 2022. The three MEPs are members of the Conference's executive board. The CoR, which is organising citizens' dialogues across the Union as part of its contribution to an open, inclusive, transparent and structured debate, will be represented by 18 members in the Conference's concluding plenary.

30 June: Debate with Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission, on the European Democracy Action Plan

Věra Jourová, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, will on 30 June discuss the European Democracy Action Plan, which seeks to protect the integrity of electoral processes, involve and empower the public, strengthen the media, and address challenges such as disinformation. At the plenary, CoR members will adopt recommendations on the European Democracy Action Plan drafted by Alexandra Dulkiewicz (PL/EPP), mayor of Gdańsk, and recommendations on the EU's strategy to strengthen the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, drafted by Jean-Luc Vanraes (BE/RE), member of Uccle Municipal Council.