Karl-Heinz Lambert, new President of the European Committee of the Regions

The Plenary Session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 12 July elected Karl-Heinz Lambertz as new President

There were many issues of interest discussed during this plenary session of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), but the most relevant decision for us was the election of Karl-Heinz Lambertz (former CoR Vice-President, President of the Regional Parliament of the German-speaking Community of Belgium and President of the AEBR) as the new President of the CoR as of 26 July for the next two and half years. CoR members also approved their opinions on People-to-people and small-scale projects in cross-border cooperation programmes, and on the Coordination of Social Security Systems, as well as other issues of interest for European border and cross-border regions.

In his acceptance speech, President-elect Karl-Heinz Lambertz stressed that the EU needs to listen to citizens and "rethink from the ground” by giving a greater say to local and regional governments. During his Presidency, the CoR will continue to contribute to the reflection on the EU's future, to fight to protect cohesion policy and to put special emphasis on reinforcing the CoR's ties with all Europe's cities and regions as well as on strengthening relations across the EU's institutions, ensure the voice of the CoR members is heard in Brussels and reinforce its relations with all regional associations and partners. “Being on the frontline, local and regional authorities must be given a greater say in deciding Europe's future", said President Lambertz. "Local and regional authorities need the capacity to invest and deliver quality public services for all citizens and businesses", before adding, "The EU's cohesion policy has a decisive role in reducing regional inequality through social, economic and territorial development. It creates jobs, renews our infrastructure and promotes social inclusion. A strong, more effective and visible cohesion policy must be part of Europe's future. A Union without cohesion policy is not the Europe we want".

Markku Markkula , who will take over as the CoRs' First Vice-President addressed the plenary saying: "From the halls and chambers of Brussels, Bratislava and Amsterdam to the streets of Rome, Maastricht and even Marrakesh, we have shown that the EU's renewal and rebuilding citizens trust begins with increasing collaboration and partnership between European regions and cities. As fellow members of the CoR, you are the biggest asset of this institution and I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for continuously pushing the boundaries. I congratulate Karl-Heinz and am proud that he is determined to continue what we have started together."

Karl-Heinz Lambertz has been a member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) since 2001 and was President of the CoR's Socialists' Group from 2011 to 2015. Being member of the German-speaking community Parliament of Belgium since 1981, he held numerous government ministerial posts between 1990 and 1999 before being elected its Minister-President (1999-2014). He was then President of the German-speaking Community Parliament until 2016 before taking post as Senator.

Here you can find the official gallery of photos of this CoR’s plenary session (you can get the CoR’s permission to use the photos):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cor-photos/albums/72157683469878873

I would recommend some of them, which may find attached as well. If you plan to use them, I would inform: Ms Nathalie Vandelle at the CoR, Tel. +32 2 282 24 99; e-mail: nathalievandelle@cor.europa.eu