Guy Verhofstadt & Renew Europe CoR discuss future of Europe Conference
Discussing the Conference on the Future of Europe ahead of its launch on Europe Day May 9th, Guy Verhofstadt supported a larger involvement of subnational governments.
Invited by Renew Europe CoR President, François Decoster, Verhofstadt, who is the co-Chair of the Conference on the Future of Europe explained that it will give citizens the possibility to discuss the future of Europe and establish a vision for the EU for the 21st century.
Guy Verhofstadt argued that in a multipolar world, Europe needs to be able to see eye-to-eye with global powers; and it is necessary to define what kind of Europe we want.
Verhofstadt supported a larger role for subnational governments, through the European Committee of the Regions, which will have a sizeable delegation in the plenary session of the conference.
A rich discussion ensued with Renew Europe CoR members:
Ulrika Landergren, Vice-President of the Renew Europe group in the CoR, said:
Michiel Rijsberman, Vice-President of Renew Europe CoR and regional minister in Flevoland, Netherlands:
Marian Elorza, Secretary-General for External Action, Basque Government:
Dietmar Brockes, Member of the Regional Assembly of North Rhine-Westphalia State
Jean-Luc Vanraes, Group Coordinator in the CoR’s CIVEX Commission and member of Uccle municipal council:
Androulla Vassiliou, representing Renew Europe on the CoR’s High Level Group on Democracy, added:
The conference on the future of Europe will be launched on 9th of May, Europe Day, in Strasbourg, France, and the CoR will hold a first local dialogue in Strasbourg just before the launch, and with the presence and participation of President Decoster.