The priorities of the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union was the main subject on the second day of the 140th plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions. It was then that ECR President Władysław Ortyl took part in the debate.

In the discussions on the German Presidency, ECR President Mr Ortyl (President of Podkarpackie region in Poland) referred to the address by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had summarised the main priorities of the Presidency. The Marshal stressed the need for cooperation and solidarity in order to build a better Europe, based on a cohesion policy that allows all regions to grow, while at the same time closing the gap between the EU's richer and poorer regions. He took the Podkarpackie region as an example:

"The motto of the German Presidency is 'Together for Europe's recovery'. You have stressed in the past that 'Europe is capable of great things if we stand together and pull together'. Cohesion policy is the best example of cooperation on our continent. It is the cornerstone of regional development and equal opportunities," said Mr Ortyl.

"As in Germany, in Poland too there are significant differences in wealth between the west and east of the country. According to wealth statistics, the region of Podkarpackie, which I represent, is less developed than the regions located along the western border. Recently however, GDP per capita in Podkarpackie has been growing at the fastest rate in Poland. This is to a large extent due to EU funds. In this respect, funds invested in innovation and business development are crucial," said the Marshal.

At the same time, the ECR President pointed out that, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, local government revenues have decreased, something that could be remedied by the new EU budget and Recovery Fund. Mr Ortyl therefore turned to the Chancellor with the following appeal:

"At this point, I am turning to the Chancellor with my first request – to continue the German Presidency's efforts to swiftly conclude a budgetary compromise that allows regions to develop their innovation and competitiveness." 

His second request was linked to the need to improve the single internal market: "It is my hope that, if a small transport or IT company from Rzeszów, Berlin or Bratislava wishes to enter foreign markets, it would be able to obtain guarantees that the administrative authorities in those countries would not impose additional obligations on it. A solution to this problem could be your government's support for the idea of introducing a European services passport. This would fit perfectly with the motto of the German Presidency," said the Marshal.

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is held for a six-month period, rotating among all EU members in a predetermined order. The country holding the Presidency chairs meetings of the Council of the EU and represents it on the international scene.