October 12, 2025

The following is a press release:

Also on the #CoRplenary agenda: EU's long-term budget post-2027, social rights, and defence.

On 13 October, the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Kata Tüttő, will present the 2025 report on the State of Regions and Cities from the perspective of the three political priorities of the CoR: cohesion, resilience and proximity.

The presentation of the report also marks the opening of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC), the largest event in the EU for local and regional authorities, organised under the umbrella of the European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission. The opening session of the EWRC will also be addressed by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and Raffaele Fitto, the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms.

President Tüttő will also chair the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions on 14-15 October. The plenary features a a debate on the European Pillar of Social Rights, with Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the Europe Commission, and a resolution on the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027.

The CoR's legislative work will be reflected in a resolution and eight sets of recommendations – ranging from the energy union and defence preparedness to women's rights, the anti-poverty strategy, and the skills strategy.

Follow the President's address on the European State of Regions and Cities here.

Follow the plenary session (#CoRplenary) on the CoR's website.

Visit the website of the European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek) for details of the programme.

Photos of the Week and of the CoR's plenary session will be available here.

KEY DEBATES

13 October, 2.00 p.m.: Opening of the #EURegionsWeek of Regions and Cities ‘Shaping tomorrow, together’. Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions, presents the ‘State of Regions and Cities in the European Union’ with statements by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms of the European Commission.

14 October, 5.05 p.m.: Debate on the European Pillar of Social Rights, with Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness.

14 October, 6.55 p.m.: EU Local Matters – with interventions on the Pact for Eastern Border Regions.

15 October, 9:00 a.m.: Debate on European defence, with General Christophe Gomart (FR/EPP), member of the European Parliament and rapporteur on ‘European Defence Readiness 2030: assessment of needs’.

15 October, 12:00: EU Local Matters – with interventions on support for women in rural areas, and on challenges to regional development and sustainability goals posed by data centres.

RESOLUTION AND OPINIONS FOR ADOPTION

Resolution on the Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027.

'Union of Skills Strategy'. Rapporteur: Emil Boc (RO/EPP), mayor of Cluj-Napoca.

'An EU anti-poverty strategy.' Rapporteur: Yonnec Polet (BE/PES), first deputy mayor of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe.

'State of the energy union: getting prepared for a smooth implementation of energy transition in line with Fit for 55 target.' Rapporteur: Joško Klisović (HR/PES), member of the Assembly of the City of Zagreb.

'Designing nature credits: A framework to promote biodiversity and ecosystem services.' Rapporteur-General: Rastislav Trnka (SK/EPP), chairman of Košice Self-Governing Region.

'European Defence Readiness 2030.' Rapporteur: Ricardo Rio (PT/EPP), mayor of Braga.

'Enhancing the territorial dimension of the EU - Switzerland relationship.' Rapporteur: Matteo Luigi Bianchi (IT/ECR), member of Morazzone local executive.

'Establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union.' Rapporteur-general: Karin Müller (DE/EPP), State Secretary for European and International Affairs and De-bureaucratisation for the Länd of Hesse.

'Strengthening women's rights in the EU: A local and regional perspective.' Rapporteur: Carina Ohlsson (SE/PES), member of Lidköping Municipal Council.

Practical information – plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions:

Location: Paul Henri Spaak building – Hemicycle, European Parliament, Brussels

Date: Monday, 13 October – Wednesday, 14 October 2025.

Background material: The plenary agenda and opinions and amendments.

Webstreaming: On the website of the CoR.

Contact:

PresseCdr@cor.europa.eu