In a debate on the pandemic, economic reconstruction and European democracy with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Marshal Władysław Ortyl drew attention to the fact that over half a million people have died in the European Union of COVID-19 and that as local government authorities, "we are doing our best to put a stop to these terrifying statistics".

For the Marshal, who also serves as ECR President, vaccinations are the only rational way out of the pandemic. He referred to the Podkarpackie region in Poland, informing the participants that the region has completed the vaccination of medical personnel, among whom they could observe a visible decrease in the number of cases.

The Marshal reiterated the difficulty in accepting delays in the supply of vaccines after the huge efforts local and regional governments have employed in the fight against the pandemic and questioned President Michel on when one can expect an increase in vaccines in Europe.

Marshal Ortyl also highlighted the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Drawing attention to the actions that have been taken so far by the authorities of the Podkarpackie region in order to counteract the crisis, he gave the example of investing PLN 260 million to help businesses. "These funds can be used to finance working capital to meet urgent liquidity needs and overcome financial difficulties." He also expressed hope for an improvement in the economic situation through the Recovery Fund, counting on the possibility of "flexible spending of these funds", and remarked that the "crisis does not have to be a destructive force".

The ECR President, who is also rapporteur in the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on the issue of regional airports, referred to their dire situation caused by the pandemic and lockdowns. According to him, they need financial support that would allow them to continue functioning and surviving. The Marshal urged for coordinated action to be taken by both by the European Commission and by individual Member States, regions, the world of science and business in order "to return aviation to the path of rapid growth, as well as build up resilience for future crises".

Addressing Charles Michel, Mr Ortyl concluded "I encourage you, Mr President, to try to take up the topic of support for regional airports and the principles of granting state aid at one of the future summits of the European Council".

This debate took place on the first day of the CoR's March plenary session.​