On Friday 11 February, Vice-Marshal of the Małopolska region in Poland Mr Łukasz Smółka attended the remote meeting of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER). The main topics of the meeting included issues related to the trans-European transport network, the new EU framework for urban mobility, and cohesion policy support for regions with geographic and demographic handicaps. In addition, the discussion covered a stronger commitment by the European Union to a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Arctic, and also small urban areas as key actors in managing the just transition.

An important item on the agenda was a presentation by Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) at the European Commission, followed by a debate, in which Vice-Marshal Łukasz Smółka also took part: "I am very pleased to be able to take the floor in today's debate and I would like to thank the European Commission for the opportunity for working consultations on our new programme 'European Funds for Małopolskie region 2021-2027. The Małopolskie of the future' ahead of official negotiations", underlined Mr Smółka at the beginning of his speech.

The Vice-Marshal also talked about the opportunities offered by the Just Transition Fund: "Małopolska has been actively involved in the coal transition for many years. In modernising and restructuring the mines in our area, we are undergoing a socio-economic change which means that we could benefit from this instrument", Mr Smółka noted.