The ECR Group is committed to a more prosperous, secure and decentralised Europe led by local communities in partnership with national governments. 

One of the most enduring challenges facing the EU today is economic recovery after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of Russia's unjustified aggression against Ukraine, including the need for providing humanitarian aid to millions of refugees arriving into our countries. In light of these challenges, we believe it is evident that the European Union needs significant improvements to help it weather the storm. Our Group has advocated real actions in the spirit of solidarity, such as financial assistance to struggling regions, policy proposals to help Europe achieve more energy security and more flexibility in the use of EU funds. 

We underline that all new policies need to take into account local and regional realities and make sure any EU measures do not infringe the sovereignty of either the nation-state or local government. It is for that reason that we have consistently called for greater use of territorial impact assessments in EU policymaking and we always underline that what can be efficiently handled at the local or national level should be handled at these levels.

Here in the European Committee of the Regions we wish to demonstrate the viability and the vitality of our vision for Europe. Our Members, whether heads of regions, mayors, regional ministers or councillors, have been some of the most pro-active contributors to the work of the institution. They have brought their common sense perspectives of local politics to European policy, representing their constituents and belief in the importance of the free market, tradition, and democracy.