Collaboration development during Presidency of EU Council, on agenda of Viorica Dancila, Karl-Heinz Lambertz

The collaboration angles during Romania's Presidency of the Council of the EU stood at the core of Tuesday's talks between Prime Minister Viorica Dancila and the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Karl-Heinz Lambertz.

The meeting of the two high officials took place in the context of their attending "An inclusive cohesion policy for a Union closer to its citizens" high-level conference.

The meeting of the two dignitaries was an occasion to exchange very useful opinions regarding the dialogue between Romania and the European Committee of the Regions, the emphasis being placed on the collaboration angles during Romania's Presidency of the Council of the EU, when Romania is determined to contribute to the identification of some real solutions, meant to ease the advancement of the European project in an unitary, cohesive manner, a release by the gov't reads.

Aspects referring to the future of Europe and the priorities of Romania's mandate to the Presidency of the EU Council, in particular with reference to the 2021-2017 Multiannual Financial Framework / the post-2020 cohesion policy, were also addressed.

Prime Minister Dancila stressed the important role of the CoR in getting the EU closer to the citizens, municipalities and regions, within a framework that allows them to be more actively involved in the decision-making process at the EU level, as well as in the reflection regarding the future of Europe. She emphasised at the same time the importance of coordinating the actions at European regional and local level, with a view to increasing social, economic and territorial convergence in the entire European Union.

Likewise, the Romanian premier hailed the CoR's commitment in ensuring the continuity of the citizens' consultation process regarding the future of Europe, alongside the decision to unfold the 8th European Summit of the Regions and Cities, due in Bucharest on 14 and 15 March 2019, a significant opportunity for the local and regional leaders to voice their viewpoints regarding the building of a stronger European future.AGERPRES(RO - author: Catalina Matei, editor: Florin Marin; EN - author: Maria Voican, editor: Simona Iacob)