2019

French radio station RCF dedicates its first show of 2019 of La Loire Aujourd’hui to Jean-François Barnier, Mayor of Chambon-Feugerolles, discussing his work in the European Committee of the Regions such as his report on increasing public safety as well as other European developments. Barnier also stressed how important the EU is for citizens, and how it is at the core of citizen’s lives, and the relationship between cities and municipalities and the EU.

2018

13 December

Barnier reacts to the terrorist attack on the Christmas Market in Strasbourg, France.

“Once again the spectre of attacks resurfaced with the attack on the Strasbourg Christmas Market. This makes it increasingly necessary to secure public spaces in the face of terrorism to fight with even greater effectiveness against these ignoble acts” says Jean-François Barnier”

21 September Jean-François Barnier presented his report during the “Security challenges – Regional and Local approaches” conference in Athens, Greece.

31 August

The “Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes et l’Europe” covers Barnier’s report in its newsletter and website, focusing on his suggestion to facilitate the access to the available funds for non-state actors such as local and regional authorities.

12 July 

French newspaper Le Progrès publishes a special feature on Jean-François Barnier and his report at the European Committee of the Regions:

10 July

Jean-François Barnier and Nathalie Griesbeck MEP of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament exchanged key points of their works in protecting citizens and public spaces.

6-7 July 

French TV station TL7 follows in the footsteps of rapporteur Barnier during the presentation and unanimous approval of his report during the European Committee of the Region’s plenary session.(Starts at 05″49′).

French newspaper Le Progrès also covers Jean-François Barnier’s opinion and work in the European Committee of the Regions:

Commune Passion, the magazine for the local authorities and politics from the French region of Pays de la Loire, also published and article on Barnier’s work.

5 July 

The European Committee of the Regions welcomes the recognition of the role of mayors in the European Action Plan to help local elected representatives protect public spaces against terrorist attacks. The CoR calls on the European Commission to ensure the continuity of the new fund for supporting transnational projects protecting public spaces. It calls on the Member States, regions and cities to incorporate the protection of public spaces into the infrastructure investment carried out under the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund.

April

The Magazine “Maires de France” covers Barnier’s report, in which he stresses that the plan to protect public spaces also needs to prevent radicalisation as well as promoting inclusion.

13 March

French local paper Le Progrès covers rapporteur Barnier’s presentation of the first conclusions about his report in Brussels during a conference in the European Commitee of the Regions.

8 March

The European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions jointly organised the EU Mayors’ Conference on “Building Urban Defences Against Terrorism: Lessons Learned From Recent Attacks“. The conference focused on lessons learned from recent terrorist attacks and the sharing of best practices and useful solutions to enhance protection of public spaces, including the implementation of “security by design” solutions.Jean-François Barnier discussed his report during the “Security by design in public buildings, the urban landscape and public-private cooperation” panel discussion.

February Discussion of the rapporteur with Mr. Hans Das, Head of Unit, Terrorism and Radicalisation, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission.

2017 December  Appointment of rapporteur