General information

Our 2024 ECR CoR Group Study Days will be held in Valladolid, historical city of Castile and León in Spain. The event is hosted by Juan García Gallardo Frings, Bureau Member of the ECR CoR Group, Vice President of the Autonomous Community of Castile and León. The main topics of the conference are as follows: 

1. Towards a just and impartial application of the Rule of Law
2. Preparing European agriculture for the challenges of tomorrow

Topics

1. Towards a just and impartial application of the Rule of Law

The concept of the rule of law has undergone a significant transformation. The rule of law is enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union as one of the common values for all EU Member States. Under the rule of law, all public powers always act within the constraints set out by law, in accordance with the values of democracy and fundamental rights, and under the control of independent and impartial courts. Recent developments have shown a worrying trend of EU elites politicising the concept and selectively applying it against those daring to question the status quo. This risks a slow erosion of the concept in the eyes of European citizens, gradually losing its credibility as a shared European value. To this end, the first panel discussion will explore how to avoid double standards, when it comes to rule of law and restore its constitutional role in upholding justice and fairness across the EU. 

2. Preparing European agriculture for the challenges of tomorrow

European agriculture is under severe pressure as demonstrated by continuous waves of protests across Europe. Our farmers find themselves in an era where environmental demands are taking growing precedence, imposing costly and unrealistic challenges upon agricultural production. The future of European agriculture is vital for every citizen in the EU, and for the stability and vibrancy of our rural areas. To ensure food security for future generations, we must boost the productive potential of agriculture in the European Union, including in less economically developed regions. To this end, this second panel discussion will seek to critically evaluate the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and explore ways of better preparing European agriculture for the challenges of tomorrow. 

Registration

9.00-9.35 a.m.

Opening Speeches by:

• Juan García-Gallardo Frings, Vice-President of the Government of the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León, Spain 
• Marco Marsilio, President of the ECR CoR Group and President of the Abruzzo Region, Italy 
• Carlos Pollán Fernández, President of the Cortes of Castilla y León, Spain

9.35-11.05 a.m.

Panel 1: Towards a just and impartial application of the Rule of Law

Moderator: Jorge Martín Frías, Director, Fundación Disenso

Keynote Speaker: 

Jorge Buxadé MEP, Leader of VOX Delegation in the European Parliament and Vice-President of ECR Party, Spain

• José Ángel Antelo, Vice-President of the Government of the Region of Murcia, Spain 
• Antonio Giordano MP, Secretary General of the ECR Party, Italy
• David Hierro, Secretary-General and Deputy Spokesperson, VOX Parliamentary Group, Castilla y León, Spain
• Władysław Ortyl, First Vice-President of the ECR CoR Group and President of the Podkarpackie Region, Poland
• Pablo Saez MP, VOX Spokesperson for Economy, Congress of Deputies, Spain

11:05-11:20 a.m.

Coffee break

11:20-12:50 p.m.

Panel 2: Preparing European agriculture for the challenges of tomorrow

Moderator: Francesco Giubilei, Italian publisher and columnist

Keynote Speakers: 

Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Italy; Janusz Wojciechowski Commissioner for Agriculture

• Ricardo Chamorro MP, VOX Spokesperson for Agriculture, Congress of Deputies, Spain
• Witold de Chevilly, Executive Director of New Direction
• Gerardo Dueñas, Regional Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Government of the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León, Spain
• Ettore Prandini, President Coldiretti, Italy
• Teresa Rodríguez, Director-General of Agricultural and Livestock Production, Government of the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León, Spain

12:50-13:00 pm           

Closing remarks                                                        

• Juan García-Gallardo Frings, Vice-President of Government of the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León, Spain

13.00-14:00 pm

Family photo and lunch