Valencia, 29 April 2025 — As Europe grapples with an increasingly complex security landscape — from natural disasters and cyber threats to hybrid warfare and geopolitical tensions — leaders from across the European People’s Party in the Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) gathered to call for a comprehensive and societal approach to preparedness and resilience.
Opening the discussion, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk and EPP-CoR member, emphasized that security must now cut across all sectors of society. "Strengthening our preparedness must be a top priority," she stated, referencing the Ninistoo report. "As Europe faces a shifting and uncertain security landscape, we must act decisively and collectively to protect our citizens."
Nikolaos Chardalias, Regional Governor of Attica and 1st Vice-President of the EPP-CoR Group, underlined the crucial role of regional and local authorities in facing crises. "Local and regional authorities are at the forefront of crisis management, risk prevention, and citizen protection," he said. "Thanks to our proximity to communities, we possess invaluable knowledge of the socio-economic and geographical specificities of each region. This enables us to design tailored strategies, maximize resources, and build stronger, more resilient societies."
Chardalias stressed that through the development of civil protection plans, investment in infrastructure, citizen education, and partnerships with relevant institutions, regions can serve as "pillars of prevention and effective crisis management." He further called for resilience to be integrated into broader policy areas, from transport and energy to health and environmental protection, to foster sustainable and dynamic communities.
Reflecting on the broader security context, Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, warned that threats were evolving rapidly and demanded a coordinated European response. "In today’s world, our security landscape is changing fast, with threats becoming increasingly global. To respond effectively, we need a coordinated political and holistic approach," Virkkunen said. "We must safeguard our societies while upholding the rule of law and the right to privacy — cornerstones of our democratic values. At the same time, we must equip our law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to operate effectively."
Virkkunen also stressed the importance of reinforcing critical infrastructure, particularly transport networks, as essential pillars of both security and resilience.
Panel 1: Security and Preparedness: Strengthening Europe’s Defence
The first panel addressed the urgent need to enhance civil protection, cybersecurity, and strategic coordination at all levels of governance.
Lena Düpont, MEP from the EPP Group in the European Parliament, emphasized that "preparedness is a mindset" that requires a "whole-of-government, whole-of-society, all-scenarios approach." She called for efforts to ensure that citizens are better adapted to emerging threats and equipped to respond effectively.
Alberto Cirio, President of Piemonte and EPP-CoR member, shared lessons from his region’s experience with crisis support, including aid to Turkey. "We know crises will come, and we must use AI as a prevention instrument," Cirio explained. "By strengthening our capacity instruments and using best practices, we can avoid finding ourselves unprepared." He warned, however, that small regions often suffer disproportionately and called on the European Parliament to ensure that extraordinary EU funds are accessible to all communities in need.
On cybersecurity, Pehr Granfalk, Member of Solna Municipality and EPP-CoR Member, warned that "regions and cities are the preferred targets for hackers." He emphasized the importance of early warning systems and called on national authorities to support local and regional governments in facing cyber crises.
Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, MEP, highlighted the urgent need for strategic investment to bolster Europe’s defence sector. "Europe must strengthen its defence industry while preserving strategic autonomy and the transatlantic alliance," he stated. "We must invest at all levels of governance to withstand future attacks and draw lessons that mitigate the consequences of future crises."
Closing the panel, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, former Prime Minister of Ukraine and President of the Kyiv Security Forum, delivered a powerful message of solidarity. "This is not only a war against Ukraine; it is a war against Europe," Yatsenyuk declared. "We are grateful to every community, every mayor, and every governor for their support. We must maintain sanctions, show boldness, and provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs."
Panel 2: Natural and Environmental Threats: Strengthening Societal Resilience
The second panel focused on the impact of natural disasters and economic disruptions on regional security and preparedness.
Konstantinos Bakoyannis, Municipal Councillor of Athens and EPP-CoR member, highlighted the urgent need for empowering local communities in the face of the climate crisis. "Cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis, but we’re still treated like junior partners — that has to change," Bakoyannis asserted. "The EU must invest directly in local resilience, empower urban communities, and fast-track climate adaptation before the next disaster strikes."
Adding to the discussion, Mirjam Sterk, Regional Minister of the Province of Utrecht and EPP-CoR Member, emphasized the necessity of sustainable solutions. "We need to adapt to a reality where weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable," Sterk said. "In Utrecht, we address this by first turning to nature-based solutions — making use of the sponge-like qualities of our soil and water systems — before resorting to technical interventions. And every time we consider a solution, we do so with the most vulnerable groups in mind, as they are often the ones most affected by extreme weather."
Ivan Žagar, Mayor of Slovenska Bistrica, once again underscored the importance of practical crisis management at the local level. "In Slovenia, we adopted a bottom-up approach," Žagar explained. "The increasing number of natural disasters related to climate change, along with the ever-growing costs of responding to emergencies and recovery, highlights the need for coordinated action at the EU, national, and regional-local levels. It is essential to provide additional funding for the EU Solidarity Fund. The reserve fund for solidarity and emergency aid must be strengthened, but not at the expense of cohesion funds. At the same time, cohesion policy must become more flexible and responsive in order to effectively address the consequences of climate change while also responding to the specific needs of local communities."
Turning to the agricultural sector, Esther Herranz García, MEP, warned of the pressures facing Europe's farmers. "Agriculture and livestock farming are fundamental to sustaining human life in the EU," she said. "The Common Agricultural Policy must retain a strong budget to meet its quality objectives. Excessive regulatory burdens threaten the future of farming, and we must encourage young people to remain in the sector. Agriculture must be protected both from the impacts of climate change and external threats."
Maravillas Abadía Jover, MEP, stressed the consequences of unpreparedness. "When a storm shuts down a school or cuts off water to a neighborhood, everyday life comes to a halt," she said. "In the face of climate crises, Europe cannot improvise — it must be prepared to safeguard the essentials. The cost of inaction is always higher than the cost of readiness."
Closing the event, Sari Rautio, President of the EPP-CoR Group, reflected on the broader stakes for Europe’s resilience. "As Europe navigates a rapidly evolving security environment, the imperative for robust civil preparedness has never been clearer," Rautio declared. "Beyond military capabilities, the resilience of our societies, institutions, and infrastructure defines the strength of the European Union’s collective defence. Civil preparedness must no longer be seen as secondary — it is central to our ability to respond to crises, deter adversaries, and uphold our values."
The event concluded with the adoption of the Valencia Declaration, reaffirming the EPP-CoR Group’s commitment to strengthening Europe’s preparedness through a societal approach to security, resilience, and crisis management.