"Common strategies, better coordination with all key players and continued transnational and cross-border cooperation would have enabled more effective response to the crisis." Joke Schauvliege European Committee of the Regions rapporteur on the opinion 'Experiences and lessons learned by regions and cities during the coronavirus crisis' made these remarks during an exchange of views on the opinion. Schauvliege said that this opinion is a chance to involve networks and stakeholders including networks of cities, regions and rural areas to. The opinion can provide a picture of the reality on the ground and offer feedback to the EU and the national level of the challenges that need to be addressed.
Schauvliege who is a Member of the Flemish Parliament added that Europe's recovery from the crisis needs to be based on the lessons learned from all levels of governance including those closer to the citizens and therefore, villages, cities and regions. Schauvliege went to explain the content of the outlook opinion saying that it will focus specifically on the impact of the pandemic on the economy, socio-digital spheres and other relevant policies for rural areas.
Marjon de Hoon-Veelenturf, Mayor of the municipality of Baarle-Nassau said that this opinion must emphasise the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic for local governments in the border regions, such as the south of the Netherlands. She said "This opinion must emphasise cross border challenges such as when member states take their own measures, deviating from measures taken from neighbouring countries creating confusion for inhabitants and visitors and division. In the long term this leaves an impact on the economic development of these regions."
Schauvliege is currently holding a series of hearings with other Commissions to gather feedback from villages, cities and regions across Europe to feed into the opinion and meetings will continue in the coming days.
Earlier on, the NAT Commission appointed Olgierd Geblewicz, President of EPP-CoR Group and President of Westpomeranian Region as Rapporteur for the Opinion on the twin legislation "Cross-border health threats and New mandate of European Disease Control Agency (ECDC)". On the other hand, Birgitta Sacrédeus, Member of Dalarna Regional Council was appointed as rapporteur for the Opinion on the twin legislation "Pharmaceutical strategy and New mandate of European Medical Agency (EMA)". Read more here.