At the COTER Commission meeting on 24 April 2023, CoR rapporteur Władysław Ortyl presented his working document on the EU Drone Strategy 2.0, calling to unleash the full potential of the fast-developing European drone industry: "A harmonized European Drone Market will significantly strengthen the EU's position in the global market for unmanned systems technology".

The market for unmanned systems is one of the fastest growing sectors globally while the European drone experts are among the best qualified in the world. "The majority of drone technologies could have dual, civil and military, use, which became evident to general public with the Russian aggression against Ukraine. It is therefore one of those industries which strategic independence has to be considered and defended if necessary" – stressed Marshal Ortyl.

"Most of the solutions presented in the European Commissions' Drone Strategy 2.0 are about long-term planning and scenarios, but when dealing with such a dynamic industry we need more tailored answers for local and regional authorities that can be applied here and now".

The importance of building and nurturing public confidence in the growing number of drones present in the sky was also highlighted in the lively exchange with the CoR members and representatives of the European Commission's DG Move, responsible for mobility and transport.

Marshal Ortyl, a civil aviation engineer by profession and CoR spokesperson on regional airports, governs a region well-known for its aviation traditions and potential - Podkarpackie.

The opinion is scheduled for adoption in the CoR’s Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) external meeting in June, while the adoption in CoR plenary session is due during the European Week of Regions and Cities in October.