Call for the EU’s foreign policy to tap potential of regions and cities

The message was conveyed in two opinions adopted by the EU's assembly for local and regional politicians at its plenary session on 1July.

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has called on the European Union (EU) to recognise cities and regions as strategic partners in its foreign policy, arguing that local and regional authorities should play a formal role in EU development cooperation, enlargement policy and in fragile settings.

In his opinion on an 'EU regulation establishing Global Europe,'the proposed financing instrument for the EU's external action for 2028-34, rapporteur Joško Klisović (HR/PES), member of the Assembly of the City of Zagreb, stressedt he need for the EU to reinforce its external action in the current period of geopolitical turmoil. Mr Klisović also insisted that multi-level governance and localisation must be among the guiding principles of the EU regulation because local and regional authorities can help reinforce the reach and scope of theEU'sinternational partnerships.

The CoR's opinion notes that implementation of 65% of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would not be possible without the active involvement of cities and regions. In climate action, cities and regions account for 70% of mitigation and up to 90% of adaptation measures. Local and regional authorities arealsokey to EU enlargement - 70% of the EU legislation is implemented at local and regional levels. The CoR sees the active involvement of local and regional authorities, both on the policyand implementation side, as essential to maximise the impact of Global Europe.

In this context, cities and regions need access to adequate and targeted financial resources, including under the Global Gateway and for cross-border and inter-regional cooperation. In 2028, the proposed Global Europe instrument will merge preceding ones that channelled EU funds to neighbouring countries, including Ukraine, and to others across the globe. The proposed new budget must be protected from cuts, stressed Klisović, for the EU to remain a trusted international partner and a stronger global player.

The opinionon an 'EU regulation establishing Global Europe' is part of a series of 20 opinions on which the CoR is working to assess specific aspects and regulations of the future EU long-term budget 2028-34:check the opinions roadmap.

The second adopted opinion-on'The importance of decentralised cooperation and city diplomacy in the EU approach to fragile settings'-was written at the request of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It was drafted by CoR's Magali Altounian (FR/Renew Europe), member of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur Regional Council. At its heart lies the notion that cities and regions are often the only level of government that continues to operate in fragile contexts such as conflict and crises. The EU's external action should support localand regional authorities that offer essential services to citizens, even under precarious circumstances.

Local and regional authorities from the EU have historically managed to maintain ties with their peers in many fragile contexts. This has allowed them to maintain channels of communication during periods of strained diplomatic relations at a national or multinational level and to provide practical support. The CoR's Nicosia Initiative and its continuous support to services and dialogue for Libyan municipalities are an example for the potential of city and regional diplomacy.

Quotes:

Rapporteur Joško Klisović (HR/PES), member of the Assembly of theCity of Zagreb: "In a world marked by growing geopolitical tensions, inequality, climate disruption and democratic backsliding, Europe cannot project strength abroad and position itself in the emerging world order without investing in stability, democracy and social cohesion at local level. Global Europe must therefore place local and regional authorities at the heart of the EU's external action. As part of Team Europe, they are uniquely placed to build trust, support democratic reform, strengthen resilience and deliver concrete improvements in people's lives. Europe's influence will not be measured only by the size of its investments, but by its ability to create lasting partnerships and tangible progress on the ground."

Rapporteur Magali Altounian (FR/Renew Europe), member of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur Regional Council: "Our request is clear: recognise the local dimension as a strategic lever for European action in fragile contexts. Because leaving these countries behind means leaving behind nearly 2 billion extremely vulnerable people. Investing locally in fragile contextsnot not only keeps the promise of the Sustainable Development Goalsbut but is also an investment toprotect the EU."

Background:

• Photos and videos from the172 Plenary Session

• Follow the Press service account on X

• Localisation of the EU's Global Gateway, CoR opinionby Jaume Duch Guillot (ES/PES) from 2025

• Regions and Municipalities implementing the EU strategy with Africa, CoR opinionby Guido Milana (IT,Renew Europe) from 2024

• The Ukraine Facility, CoR opinion by Dario Nardella (IT/PES) from 2023

• Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood. A new Agenda for the Mediterranean', CoR opinionby Enzo Bianco (IT/PES) from 2021

• The Nicosia Initiative: At the request of Libyan municipalities, the CoR has been mobilising partnerships for Libya's local administrations since 2016.

• CoR study on The Role of Local and Regional Authorities and Decentralised Cooperation in Fragile Settings: Building on the Nicosia Initiative in Libya

Contact:

Julia Damianova

Tel: +32 475 999 498

[email protected]