During the May plenary of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Marshal Władysław Ortyl spoke about assistance to Ukraine during the pandemic, strengthening labour rights in the framework of the Porto Social Summit and supporting African communities in overcoming the pandemic.

Marshal Ortyl took part in the discussion on the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU and the fight against the pandemic and set out the position of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group. He emphasised the very good relations between Poland and Portugal, two countries at a similar stage of economic development, with one challenge they face being their geopolitical position at the edges of the European Union, forming its western and eastern borders. "In a united Europe, we need to seek consensus and common points of reference not only with our closest neighbours but also with those furthest from us geographically. Only in this way can we guarantee our citizens' security and prosperity," said Marshal Ortyl.

In his intervention, he referred to the issue of assistance for containing the pandemic in Africa, highlighting the need for concrete action in this area. "One of the less well highlighted priorities of the Portuguese Presidency is that of strengthening relations with Africa. The ECR Group in the European Parliament held another EU-Africa Summit two weeks ago. One of its conclusions was to call on the European Commission and the Member States to support local and regional authorities in Africa as an effective way of helping to combat the pandemic. This is primarily about sending medical assistance and supplying medicines," the Marshal pointed out.

In his speech to the plenary session, he called for interest in Ukraine and assistance for that country to continue, as it was facing war with Russia at the same time as dealing with the pandemic. "If we care about Europe's neighbourhood, we must also pay attention to the situation in the East. Hospitals in neighbouring Ukraine are overcrowded. Almost 100 000 people were hospitalised there in the previous month, the highest number since the outbreak of the pandemic. Ukraine is in a particularly difficult situation, having to look after both those suffering from the pandemic and those whose health has suffered as a result of the ongoing war with Russia," said Marshal Ortyl. "EU assistance to Ukraine has allowed the country to start a vaccine campaign earlier, and some EU regions are providing bilateral support to Ukrainian regions by supplying medical equipment. This assistance should continue," he added.

The Marshal concluded with reference to the Porto Social Summit on 7 May. "I would like to see the solutions developed there guarantee that workers' rights are strengthened without hindering the competitiveness of any Member State. This is a difficult compromise, but I wish the Prime Minister success in achieving it," concluded Władysław Ortyl, Marshal of the Podkarpackie Region and President of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.​