22nd COTER Commission meeting and conference on Supporting and developing an efficient cohesion policy which starts with the EUs local and regional authorities, Cluj-Napoca - Main contents

date	March 25, 2019 - March 26, 2019
city	Cluj-Napoca, Ghindăoani, Romania
location	Grand Hotel Italia, Str. Vasile Conta 2 (RO 400479 Cluj-Napoca)
attending	C. (Corina) Creţu i et al.
organisation	Committee of the Regions (CoR) i

CONVOCATION 22nd COTER meeting

For the attention of the members of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget

Subject: 22nd meeting of the COTER commission and Conference on Supporting and developing an efficient cohesion policy which starts with the EU's local and regional authorities on 25 and 26 March 2019 in Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

Dear colleagues,

Please find enclosed the draft agenda of the COTER external meeting and an outline of the programme for the conference on Supporting and developing an efficient cohesion policy which starts with the EU's local and regional authorities to be held on 25 and 26 March 2019 in Cluj-Napoca (Romania).

I would kindly ask you to:

• - 

  register for the COTER commission meeting and conference via the link https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/2019-COTER-Cluj-Napoca by 15 March 2019;

• - 

  submit your confirmation of attendance and any delegation of presence through the online tool which is accessible through the Members' Portal on the CoR main website using your personal username and password (https://memportal.cor.europa.eu/). The deadline for submitting a delegation of presence is midnight before the day of the meeting.

In accordance with Rule 66(1) of the Rules of Procedure, I hereby set the deadline for tabling amendments for the draft opinions to be discussed at no later than 3 p.m. (Brussels time) on Thursday, 7 March 2019. I look forward to seeing you in Cluj-Napoca and hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully,

Isabelle Boudineau

Enc.: Appendices

Brussels, 18 March 2019

NOTICE OF MEETING

COMMISSION FOR TERRITORIAL COHESION POLICY AND EU BUDGET (COTER)

Draft agenda:

• - 

  Adoption of the draft agenda

  COR-2018-06423-00-04-CONVPOJ-TRA

• - 

  Approval of the minutes of the 21st meeting

  COR-2018-06424-00-00-PV-TRA

• - 

  Statement by the chair

• - 

  Organisation of future work

  For decision:

• - 

  Opinions on the basis of consultations (Rule 41(a)) - Appointment of rapporteurs

• - 

  Own-initiative opinions (Rule 41b) i))

  • - 

    Decision to draw up an opinion
  • - 

    Appointment of rapporteurs

• - 

  Own-initiative opinions (Rule 41b) ii))

  • - 

    Decision to request Bureau authorisation for an opinion

  COR-2019-00950-00-00-TCD-TRA

  COR-2019-01176-00-00-TCD-TRA

  COR-2019-01334-00-01-TCD-TRA

  • - 

    Provisional appointment of rapporteurs

• - 

  Decisions not to draw up an opinion

  COR-2019-00147-00-00-TCD-TRA

• - 

  Ongoing work programme and decision on attributions by the president

  COR-2018-06425-00-02-TCD-TRA

  For discussion:

• - 

  Exchange of views on the proposals of the CoR for the new European Union legislative mandate 2019/2024

  COR-2019-00952-00-01-TCD-TRA

• - 

  Contribution of COTER Commission to the Annual Impact Report

  COR-2018-06426-00-01-TCD-TRA

• - 

  Opinions - First discussion and adoption

   

  6.1	Title	Macro-regional strategies, such as the Danube: a framework for promoting transnational clusters
  	Rapporteur	Dainis TURLAIS (LV/ALDE)
  	Commission document	Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies (COM(2019) 21 final)
  	Document	COR-2018-06422-00-00-PA-TRA
  	Type of opinion	Referral of the Romanian Presidency- Rule - 41, b)(i)
  	Dossier	COTER-VI/051
  	Statement by	Statement by Ms Melania Gabriela CIOT, State Secretary in charge of European Affairs, Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU Statement by Anna SOBCZAK, policy officer, DG GROW, European Commission
  	Adoption (planned) in the commission	26/03/2019
  	Adoption planned in the plenary session	26-27/06/2019

• - 

  Opinions - Exchange of views

   

  7.1	Title	Recommendations for the successful design of regional development strategies beyond 2020
  	Rapporteur	Adam STRUZIK (PL/EPP)
  	Commission document	N/A
  	Document	COR-2019-00644-00-00-DT -TRA
  	Type of opinion	Own-initiative - Rule 41(b)(ii)
  	Dossier	COTER-VI/052
  	Statement by	Statement by a representative of the European Commission (tbc) Statement by Ilona RAUGZE, Director of ESPON
  	Adoption (planned) in the commission	10/07/2019
  	Adoption planned in the plenary session	8-9/10/2019

   

  7.2	Title	Better Communication for Cohesion Policy
  	Rapporteur	Adrian Ovidiu TEBAN (RO/EPP)
  	Commission document	N/A
  	Document	COR-2019-00645-00-01-DT-TRA
  	Type of opinion	Own-initiative - Rule 41(b)(ii)
  	Dossier	COTER-VI/053
  	Statement by	Statement by a representative of the European Commission (tbc)
  	Adoption (planned) in the commission	17/05/2019
  	Adoption planned in the plenary session	26-27/06/2019

• - 

  Results of the ESPON Territorial Reference Framework project

  Presentation by Prof Jacek Szlachta, Warsaw School of Economics, and Mr Andreu Ulied, Mcrit consulting

• - 

  Follow-up to opinions

  COR-2018-06427-00-01-TCD-REF

• - 

  Any other business

• - 

  Confirmation of the date of the next meeting: Friday 17 May 2019 in Brussels

  End of meeting

   

  Working languages:	0
  Interpreting: (participants may speak in their own language)	12	ES/CS/DE/EL/EN/FR/IT/LV/HU/PL/RO/SL
  (participants may listen in)	10	CS/DE/EL/EN/FR/LV/HU/PL/RO/SL

  Amendments must be submitted through the online tool for tabling amendments (available on the Members' Portal at: https://memportal.cor.europa.eu/).

   

  N.B.:

  Only members of this commission and alternates delegated to attend the meeting will be entitled to travel and subsistence payments. Members are asked to use the online system for delegation of presence and voting rights in order to confirm their attendance at the meeting or to notify the secretariat of any delegation of presence to another member or alternate under Rule 5(2) of the Rules of Procedure. The online system is accessible through the Members' Portal on the CoR main website. The Helpdesk (+32-2-546-9697) e-mail: helpdesk@cor.europa.eu will be happy to provide any further assistance you may need.

   

  22nd COTER Meeting and Conference on Supporting and developing an efficient cohesion policy which starts with the EU's local and regional authorities

  25-26 March 2019, Cluj Napoca (Romania)

  PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

  Monday, 25 March 2019

  9 a.m. Registration of participants

  9.15 a.m. COTER commission conference on Supporting and developing an efficient cohesion policy which starts with the EU's local and regional authorities

  1 p.m. Lunch

  2.30 p.m. COTER commission conference on Supporting and developing an efficient cohesion policy which starts with the EU's local and regional authorities

  4 p.m. End of the COTER commission conference and study visit to Turda Salina

  7.30 p.m. Departure from the hotel for the official dinner

  Tuesday, 26 March 2019

  9 a.m. Meetings of the political groups

  9.30 a.m. Meeting of the political coordinators (in camera)

  10 a.m. COTER commission meeting

  1.15 p.m. End of the COTER commission meeting

  1.15 p.m. Lunch

  * * *

   

  EN

  PROGRAMME

  COTER commission conference on

  Supporting and developing an efficient cohesion policy which starts with the EU's local and regional authorities

  Cluj-Napoca (Romania), 25 March 2019

  Cohesion policy is the main European investment policy to achieve the EU Treaty objective of economic, social and territorial cohesion. In doing so, cohesion policy has a clear added value in creating jobs, sustainable growth and modern infrastructure, overcoming structural barriers, boosting human capital and improving the quality of life for all citizens across the EU. Cities and regions are the primary beneficiaries of EU cohesion policy. The new cohesion policy after 2020 is therefore one of the key issues for European cities and regions.

  The presentation of the proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework for the years 2021 to 2027 and the subsequent package of proposals for the Regulations on the European Structural and Investment Funds by the European Commission in May 2018 kicked off the legislative process for the new cohesion policy after 2020. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) provided its recommendations on the various legislative dossiers in a series of opinions, which were adopted at its plenary session on 5 and 6 December 2018, in order channel the concerns of European cities and regions into the legislative process.

  Shortly before the end of the current mandates of the European Parliament and the European Commission, it is now the right time to take stock of the progress made so far and to discuss how the contributions of cities and regions have been taken up in the interinstitutional debate, how regions and cities could best prepare themselves for the new programming period, and how the achievements of cohesion policy could be better communicated.

   

  9 a.m. Registration of participants

   

  9.15 a.m. Opening of the Conference

  Statements by:

  • - 

    Isabelle Boudineau (FR/PES), Vice-President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council, Chair of the CoR COTER Commission

  • - 

    Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca

  • - 

    George Ciamba, Delegate Minister of European Affairs, Romania (tbc)

  • - 

    Robert Negoiță (RO/PES), President of the Romanian delegation to the CoR, President of the Association of Romanian Municipalities and Mayor of Bucharest's Sector 3

   

  9.45 a.m. Keynote speech by Corina Crețu, European Commissioner for Regional Policy

  Debate

   

  10.15 a.m. Session 1: Where are we with the implementation of the 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy programmes?

  Cohesion policy touches all parts of the EU, and at all levels - from the EU-wide and national scale, to Europe's regions and local communities. It is part of the European Union's strategy to promote and support the overall harmonious development of its Member States and regions. The policy is implemented by national and regional bodies in partnership with the European Commission. The cohesion policy framework is established for a period of 7 years. The current period covers the years 2014-2020. The first session of the conference will therefore provide an opportunity to take stock of the delivery and implementation of cohesion policy in the current programming period and to discuss the remaining challenges for its swift and effective implementation.

  Speakers:

  • - 

    Rovana Plumb, Minister of European Funds, Romania (tbc)
  • - 

    Dana Spinant, Director of Budget, Communication and General Affairs of DG REGIO, European Commission
  • - 

    Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca
  • - 

    Michiel Rijsberman (NL/ALDE), Member of the Executive Council of the Province of Flevoland, CoR rapporteur on The financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and on ERDF and CF (tbc)
  • - 

    Ilona Raugze, Director of ESPON

  Debate

   

  11.30 a.m. Coffee break

   

  11.45 a.m. Session 2: How to bring the EU closer to its citizens: Communicating the added value of Cohesion policy

  With distrust in the EU still dominating national discourse and elections in the Member States, fostering democratic engagement and advocating for the European project seem to be decisive elements in 2019 for ensuring the future of the EU. Cohesion policy supports projects which are tangible and visible on the ground and therefore have significant potential to affect citizens' perceptions of the EU. Unfortunately, cohesion policy results have not always been well communicated in the past and awareness of its positive effects remains rather low among European citizens. Better communicating the achievements of cohesion policy can significantly contribute towards raising awareness of the positive impact that the European Union can have on the everyday lives of people. The second session of the conference will therefore facilitate an exchange of experiences and best-practices of communication strategies that aim to increase the visibility of projects funded by cohesion policy.

  Speakers:

  • - 

    Dana Spinant, Director of Budget, Communication and General Affairs of DG REGIO, European Commission

  • - 

    Adrian Ovidiu Teban (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cugir, CoR rapporteur on "Better communication for Cohesion Policy"

  • - 

    Pavel Branda (CZ/ECR), Vice-Mayor of Rádlo municipality, CoR rapporteur on "People-to-people and small-scale projects in cross-border cooperation programmes"

  • - 

    Sarah Sheil, Head of Structural Policies Unit, European Parliamentary Research Service

  • - 

    Jon Worth, ClearEurope, EU politics specialist and blogger

  Debate

   

  1 p.m. Lunch

   

  2.30 p.m. Session 3: Where are we heading to after 2020: Cohesion policy legislative package 2021-2027

  In May 2018 the European Commission presented its proposals for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and the new European Structural and Investment Funds Regulations, which kicked off the legislative process for the new cohesion policy after 2020. Since then, both co-legislators have been working on their positions on the various legislative files, whilst the European Committee of the Regions brought forward its recommendations in a series of opinions, which were adopted at its plenary session on 5 and 6 December 2018. However, as the current mandate of the European Parliament ends with the European elections in May 2019, the legislative process will need to continue under the new mandate of the European Parliament and a new Commission, which is expected to take up its work in November 2019. At the same time, regions and cities already need to start the preparation of the next programming period, in order to enable a timely launch of the programmes. The third session of the conference will therefore provide an opportunity to take stock of the progress that has been made so far, to discuss to what extent the contributions of cities and regions have been taken up, and to look into the question of how cities and regions could best determine their strategic funding priorities for the next programming period, in order to successfully address their challenges and pursue their regional development objectives with the support of the European Structural and Investment Funds and in synergy with other instruments.

  Speakers:

  • - 

    Daniel Suciu Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration, Romania (tbc)

  • - 

    Michael Schneider (DE/EPP), State Secretary, Representative of the Land of Saxony-Anhalt to the Federal Government, CoR co-rapporteur on the "Common Provisions Regulation"

  • - 

    Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis (FR/EA), Executive member of the Corsican regional authority, CoR rapporteur on "European Territorial Cooperation" (tbc)

  • - 

    Adam Struzik (PL/EPP), Marshall of Mazovia Region, CoR rapporteur on " Recommendations for the successful design of regional development strategies beyond 2020"

  • - 

    Norbert Hahn, European Investment Bank

  Debate

   

  3.45 p.m. Closing of the conference

  Closing statements by

  • - 

    Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca

  • - 

    Isabelle Boudineau (FR/PES), Vice-President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council, Chair of the CoR COTER Commission

   

  4 p.m. End of conference and study visit to Turda Salina

  Venue

  Grand Hotel Italia, Str. Vasile Conta nr. 2, 400479 Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

  Interpreting arrangements

  8/8: CS/DE/EL/EN/FR/HU/PL/RO

  _____________

   

  PRACTICAL INFORMATION

  Participants are invited to register via the online registration website

  Venue of the COTER conference and meeting

  Grand Hotel Italia - Str. Vasile Conta nr. 2, 400479, Cluj-Napoca

  Website: https://grandhotelitaliacluj.ro/

  The COTER conference and meeting will take place in Sala delle Muse on the ground floor.

  The meetings of the political groups will be held in the following rooms in the mezzanine:

  EPP: Room Botticelli

  PES: Room Bernini

  ALDE: Room Raffaello

  EA: Room Michelangelo

  ECR: Room Leonardo

  Interpreting arrangements

  Please note that, subject to confirmation, interpreting for the COTER conference will be provided in the following languages:

  8/8: CS/DE/EL/EN/FR/PL/RO/SV

  Please note that, subject to confirmation, interpreting for the COTER meeting will be provided in the following languages:

  12: ES/CS/DE/EL/EN/FR/IT/LV/HU/PL/RO/SL/ (participants may speak in)

  10: CS/DE/EL/EN/FR/LV/HU/PL/RO/SL/ (participants may listen in)

  Registration

  For the COTER conference on 25 March 2019 and the COTER commission meeting of 26 March 2019 members must submit any delegation of presence or confirmation of attendance via the online tool, which is accessible through the Members' Portal on the CoR's main website using a personal username and password.

  Each CoR member has received detailed information about the system, as well as their personal username and password to enable them to access the online system.

  A Helpdesk is also available to provide you with any assistance you may need (email: helpdesk@cor.europa.eu, tel. + 32 2 546 96 97)

  Direct access to the Members' Portal is at the following web address: https://memportal.cor.europa.eu/

  N.B.: If you wish to submit a delegation of presence, please note that you are invited to submit this delegation for each day (25 and 26 March), and that a full member can only delegate one alternate for both days. The deadline for submitting a delegation of presence is midnight before the meeting.

  We would kindly ask you to register by 15 March 2019 for the COTER commission meeting and conference events via the online registration form available on the website https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/2019-COTER-Cluj-Napoca

  Hotel accommodation

  Participants are kindly requested to register directly via the chosen hotel by sending an email to the corresponding hotel mentioning the promotional code: COTER.

   

  HOTELS	CONTACTS FOR RESERVATION	PRICE PER NIGHT (including breakfast and VAT)
  Grand Hotel Italia (COTER meeting venue)	Tel.: +40 364 111333 Email: grandhotelitalia@selecthotels.it Address: Str. Vasile Conta nr. 2, Cluj-Napoca Website: https://grandhotelitaliacluj.ro/ Client code: COTER	Classic Room single use: 85 euro Classic Room double use: 95 euro Deluxe Room single use: 85 euro Deluxe Room double use: 95 euro PRE-BOOKING DEADLINE: Please note that the availability of pre-booked rooms will not be guaranteed after 10 March 2019 CANCELLATION POLICY: cancellation is free of charge until 24 hours before arrival, otherwise the first night will be charged
  Hotel Stil	Tel.: +40 264 438171 Email: administrativ@hotelstil.com Address: Str. Fagetului nr.5B, Cluj-Napoca Website: https://www.hotelstil.com/ Reservation code: COTER	Superior single room: 45 EUR Superior double room (twin or double bed): 55 EUR PRE-BOOKING DEADLINE: Please note that the availability of pre-booked rooms will not be guaranteed after 10 March 2019 CANCELLATION POLICY: cancellation is free of charge until 24 hours before arrival, otherwise the first night will be charged
  Grand Hotel Napoca	Tel.: +40-264-580715 Email: reservations@hotelnapoca.ro Address: 1 Octavian Goga street, Cluj-Napoca Website: http://hotelnapoca.ro/ Promotional code: COTER	Single room: 85 EUR Double room: 90EUR PRE-BOOKING DEADLINE: Please note that the availability of pre-booked rooms will not be guaranteed after 10 March 2019 CANCELLATION POLICY: cancellation must be made before 6 p.m. on the day of arrival before charging the first night
  DoubleTree by Hilton Cluj - City Plaza	Tel: +40 0264 450 101 Email: daniela.livitchi2@hilton.com Address: 9-13 Sindicatelor Street, Cluj-Napoca Website: https://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/romania/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-cluj-city-plaza-CLJCPDI/index.html Promotional code: COTER	Guest room single: 147 EUR Guest room double: 167 EUR PRE-BOOKING DEADLINE: Please note that the availability of pre-booked rooms will not be guaranteed after 10 March 2019 CANCELLATION POLICY: cancellation is free of charge until 7 days before arrival

  Study visit -Monday, 25 March 2019

  A study visit to the Salina Turda will be organised after the conference.

  Salina Turda is a salt mine in the Durgău-Valea Sărată area of Turda, the second largest city in Cluj County, Romania. Since opening to tourists in 1992, Salina Turda has been visited by about two million Romanian and foreign tourists.

  Salina Turda was ranked among the "25 hidden gems around the world that are worth the trek".

  Salt was first extracted here during the antiquity and the mine continuously produced table salt from the Middle Ages (the mine being first mentioned in 1075) to the early 20th century (1932). Since 1992, Salina Turda has been a halotherapy centre and a popular tourist attraction. In 2008, the salt mine was modernised and improved under the programme PHARE 2005 ESC large regional/local infrastructure, being rendered to the tourist circuit starting in January 2010.

  The project PHARE 2005 was worth EUR 5.8 million, of which 63% was covered by European funds and the balance covered by the local council in Turda and Cluj County Council, a project whose main objective was to modernise the site to increase tourist attraction. Salina Turda became one of the important sights of Transylvania.

  More information is available on website: https://salinaturda.eu/?lang=en

  Official dinner - Monday, 25 March 2019

  The Mayor of Cluj-Napoca will host an official dinner at Aroma-Sara Social Events.

  Venue: Aroma-Sara Social Events

  Calea Turzii nr. 329, Cluj Napoca,

  Website: https://restaurant-aroma.ro/sara-events

  Transport

  Arrivals and departures:

  The organisers will provide transport from and to Cluj International Airport to/from the hotels where members, speakers and participants are staying.

  Please indicate your flight details on the registration form to facilitate the organisation of transport. Deadline: 15 March 2019

  More information will be sent a few days before the seminar and will also be available at your hotel upon arrival.

  Taxi services are available at the airport 24 hours a day and are located outside the arrivals area. A regular taxi fare from the airport to the city centre (about 10 km) is approx. 25-40 RON (5-8 EUR). As usual, the fare depends on distance and time.

  Transport during the event:

  The organisers will also provide transport from/to Grand Hotel Italia and other hotels for the study visit and the official dinner.

  More information will be sent a few days before the meeting and will be available at your hotel upon arrival.

  _____________

  COR-2018-06423-00-04-CONVPOJ-TRA (EN) 20/20

The Committee of the Regions (CoR) is an EU advisory body composed of locally and regionally elected representatives coming from all 27 Member States. Through the CoR they are able to share their opinion on EU legislation that directly impacts regions and cities.

What does the CoR do?

The CoR gives regions and cities a formal say in EU law-making ensuring that the position and needs of regional and local authorities are respected.