Michel Barnier and Mayor of London debate Brexit with EU regional and local leaders

​​​Also on #CoRplenary agenda: German Minister and four European Commissioners to discuss climate targets, integration, agriculture, enlargement, and the EU's strategic thinking.

The European Union's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn, and the President of Brittany, Loïg Chesnais-Girard, will address the European Committee of the Regions' first fully virtual plenary on 9 December. The debate on Brexit, which comes just over three weeks before the transition period of the United Kingdom's withdrawal comes to an end and with a trade deal yet to be finalised, will discuss the territorial impact and future relations of Brexit on UK-EU regions and cities and the devolved administrations.

Follow the plenary on the CoR website

Two days before the European Council discuss a potential new 2030 climate target, the European Committee of the Regions will also welcome Svenja Schulze - German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety – to its plenary.  The Minister will take stock of the progress made during the German EU Presidency on climate and energy, and discuss the proposals made by regions and cities in tackling climate change and ensuring a green European recovery – a priority for the Committee.

Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on 9 December will discuss the EU's relations with neighbouring countries, including would-be EU members from the Western Balkans.

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President for European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight will present the first Foresight report focussing on resilience and the Commission's work programme for 2021 – including the EU's efforts to help the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

10 December, Migration: Committee of the Regions and European Commission to launch Action Plan

Ylva Johansson, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, on 10 December will discuss the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as a core pillar of the Pact, the action plan for inclusion and integration. Building on the Integration Initiative launched in 2019, the European Commission and Committee will kick off a tailored partnership to support local and regional authorities in implementing integration of migrants policies into their communities.

Janusz Wojciechowski European Commissioner for Agriculture will discuss how to boost recovery in Europe's rural areas. The plenary debate will focus on how to coordinate EU's Common Agricultural Policy, structural funds and the recovery and resilience facility to support local producers, boost the greening of the agro-food industry, strengthen cohesion and diversify growth opportunities in rural communities.

Members of the CoR will also debate and adopt nine opinions with recommendations that reflect these political priorities of the EU's regions and cities. It will also adopt a resolution on the European Commission's Work Programme for 2021.

8 December, 4.15 p.m.: Statement and debate on Stepping up climate ambitions in times of COVID-19, with Svenja Schulze, German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety

9 December, 2.30 p.m.: Debate on EU-UK Agreement and the territorial consequences of Brexit, with Michel Barnier, Head of Task Force for Relations with the United Kingdom, European Commission

9 December, 5.00 p.m.: Debate on Enlargement Package and European Neighbourhood Policy, with Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

10 December, 11 a.m.: Debate on The New Pact on Migration and Asylum, with Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

10 December, 2.30 p.m.: Debate on R​ecovery and resilience in rural areas, with Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture

10 December, 3.30 p.m.: Debate on the European Commission 2021 Work Programme and the First EU Strategic Foresight Report, with Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight

·       Economic governance review. Rapporteur: Elio Di Rupo (BE/PES), Minister-President of the Government of local governance and representative democracy via new digital technology instruments. Rapporteur: Rait Pihelgas (EE/ Renew Europe), Järva Rural Municipality Council.

·       The impact of climate change on regions: an assessment of the European Green Deal. Rapporteur: Andries Gryffroy (BE/EA), Flemish and synergies of a precautionary adaptation to climate change to promote sustainability and quality of life in regions and Markkula (FI/EPP), Espoo City Council.

·       Challenges for public transport in cities and metropolitan regions. Rapporteur: Adam Struzik (PL/EPP), President of Mazovia Region.

·       From Farm to Fork – the local and regional dimension. Rapporteur: Guido Milana (IT/PES), Olevano Romano Municipal Council.

·       European Commission report on the implementation the renewed strategic partnership with the EU's outermost regions. Rapporteur: Ángel Víctor Torres Pérez (ES/PES), President of the Government of the Canary Islands.

·       Towards more sustainable tourism for EU cities and regions. Rapporteur: Manuel Alejandro Cardenete Flores (ES/Renew Europe), Deputy Minister for Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration of the Regional Government of Andalusia.