On the 17th of November 2023, at the meeting of the European Committee of the Regions, local and regional leaders highlighted challenges hindering lifesaving cross border emergency cooperation efforts due to legislative barriers and insufficient cooperation. The discussions covered cross-border emergency support, emphasizing obstacles faced by emergency services in border regions and the critical need for improved collaboration. Instances like the inability of Czech regions bordering Poland to utilize emergency services across the border exemplify this issue. However, positive models of cross-border cooperation, like the management of tunnels between Spain and France, were also discussed.

Emil Boc, the COTER Chair, stressed the importance of Cohesion Policy in addressing disparities and advocated for its preservation, noting that it benefits all regions and countries. The distinction between Cohesion Policy and the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) as an emergency measure was highlighted. Additionally, discussions revolved around smart, sustainable, and affordable housing, as well as greening freight transport, aligning with broader EU sustainability goals.

If you want to know more about the discussions undertaken you can rewatch the whole session here or read about the meeting through official channels or even get access to materials used here and here.