During the constitutive meetings of the CoR's Commissions, the ECR Group secures two very key positions with Italy's Roberto Ciambetti being elected 1st Vice-President of the NAT (Natural Resources) Commission, and Slovakia's Juraj Droba as 2nd Vice-President of the COTER (Territorial cohesion policy and EU budget) Commission.

"I am grateful and thankful to the members of the NAT Commission for having entrusted me with this role", said Ciambetti, who also ensured that the ECR Group will continue to advocate for the protection of one of Europe's most strategic sectors – agriculture. "The viability and competitiveness of the European agri-food sector is one of utmost importance, but we must further empower our farmers and reward them for their efforts in food security", he added.

Innovation will be key to enable European agriculture to transition to a more sustainable, economically viable form of farming that ensures food affordability and security. The ECR Group also "reiterates the importance of generation renewal in the agricultural sector. The establishment of young people in rural areas with access to services and leisure and employment opportunities is key to preserving agriculture across the EU and thereby contributing to our food sovereignty", Mr Ciambetti underlined.

Speaking at the COTER Commission meeting, Mr Droba thanked members for having entrusted him with this role and stressed the importance of the Commission which, over the past years, has "become an influential player in EU policymaking". From cohesion policy to MFF and transport to European territorial cooperation "we have been the voice of Europe's cities and regions in various platforms. We have also issued important opinions that will shape the future of Europe", Mr Droba said.

Mr Droba committed himself to working closely with all the members of the Commission as well as with European Commission Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fitto. "Together, we can ensure an MFF that reflects the real needs of regions and cities. Together, we can ensure a place-based and effective cohesion policy. And together, we can ensure a successful metropolitan agenda, that ensures that our cities can be the centres of innovation and growth", he concluded.