The Mayor of Chalki, Mr. Evangelos Fragkakis, was in Brussels, to participate in the two-day proceedings of the 171st Plenary Session of the European Committee of the Regions, held on May 6 and 7, 2026, at the European Parliament.
During the plenary session, important issues concerning the future of European regions—and particularly island and remote areas—were discussed, with an emphasis on the European Union’s new cohesion policy and the funding instruments for the 2028–2034 period.
Particular emphasis was placed on discussions regarding the new European Fund for Economic, Social, and Territorial Cohesion, the European Regional Development Fund, the Interreg program, as well as the new Connecting Europe Facility, which addresses critical transport, energy, and digital connectivity infrastructure.
Discussions were also held on:
• the European Union’s new strategy for youth and the digital space;
• the Erasmus+ program for 2028–2034;
• innovation and research through the new “Horizon Europe” program;
• the simplification of environmental legislation;
• the protection of citizens from noise pollution;
• the European Union’s crisis preparedness strategy;
• health policies and medical countermeasures;
• as well as digital simplification and the creation of a European Data Union Strategy.
The presentation of the mid-term review of cohesion policy by European Committee of the Regions Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, which focused on supporting regions facing permanent geographical and demographic challenges, such as island regions.
The Mayor of Chalki’s participation in the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions reinforces the ongoing presence of small islands in the European dialogue on policies concerning sustainable development, social cohesion, and improving the quality of life for residents of island regions.