09.05.2020
Dear Colleagues!
Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic 'Schuman declaration'. Now more than ever, it’s crucial for people to feel that we are stronger together
Today is a great opportunity for us to meet each other virtually, especially now, in these difficult times.
In this year, on Europe Day, Europe faces a crisis that makes standing together more important than ever. These days we are making history by the solidarity of Europeans in times of crisis.
I would like to emphasise the remarkable work of the CoR, its regular and practical information about EU actions that represents a real support for local communities in our fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Covid-19 disease is with us for more than two months now and what it has done to the world and to our regions in this short period is beyond our imagination.
A third of the world population has been under a form of lockdown, 91% of school students experienced their schools closed, and many people are projected to lose their jobs.
In these difficult times, our priority, as regional authorities, is to continue providing healthcare and public services in our communities.
On April 2nd our region, Harghita County, reported the first case, becoming the last county in Romania to report at least one case. At the moment 22 cases of COVID 19 infections are registered. The specialists of our region are striving to take every effort to slow down, alleviate the epidemic and provide appropriate care to those who are already sick.
At the same time we are making all possible efforts to support our local economy, to save jobs, to relaunch tourism and agriculture, to create new employment opportunities and to provide quality education.
In this regard, my amendments proposals on the draft Declaration, entitled Local and regional authorities as actors of the European response to the COVID-19 crisis, urge the modification of Digital Education Action Plan and the financial instruments in the area of education with policies and measures to support students and youth in less developed regions whose education performance was mostly affected by the crisis due to the digital divide and the lack of access to appropriate education in several regions.
Unfortunately, education is one of the most disrupted sector by the pandemic, especially school (formal) education.
In our region there are several poor families and students with fewer possibilities , they didn’t have the necessary equipment for attending online courses.
It also became apparent in the past few months that the demands for new knowledge to deal with the unprecedented situation are higher than ever.
From health education, digital skills, financial management, parenting skills, and to the ability to perform tasks under high pressure with limited resources.
In this regard, the EU policies should put more emphasis on regional differences - in particular on less developed regions - when it comes to the allocation of the education budget to respond to the educational emergency.
Furthermore, support and financial instruments must take in consideration the healthy food production and awareness on their consumption among population that further improve health among citizens, as well as guarantees support for local producers. And in this order, we support sustainable consumption and production, and help local producers in our country survive this crisis.
Also, an important aspect is the relaunch of tourism in our regions, since this sector is also one of the most affected not only during the crisis, but after that as well.
Hereby I would like to thank again for supporting my amendments for Mr. Markkula Markku, Mr. Nica Alin-Adrian, Mr. István Bóka, Mr. József Ribányi, Mr. László Majthényi and Mr. Bruno Hranić.
I wish us all lots of courage and determination, stay safe and healthy!
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