The President of the Government participates in the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions in Brussels next Wednesday and Thursday. Among other things, this body will analyse the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and ways to strengthen the support to young farmers, with the creation of wealth and employment in rural areas.
 
The agenda of the 121st meeting of the advisory body of the European institutions representing regional and local authorities across the EU includes a speech to be delivered by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, who started last week a public consultation on the future of CAP.
 
The meeting will also analyse the report issued by the Committee of the Regions on "Support to European Young Farmers." This is a matter of relevance to the Azores from the standpoint of reinforcing the creation of more jobs in rural areas and promoting their economic and social sustainability.
 
The plenary session also discussed the reports of the Committee of the region on the rehabilitation of cities and port areas, a new EU strategy for adaptation to climate change, the mid-term evaluation of the LIFE programme and the partnership on migrations, among others.
 
During the works at the European Parliament building in Brussels, the President of the Government will be accompanied by the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Foreign Affairs, Rui Bettencourt.
 
The Autonomous Region of the Azores has a seat at the Committee of the Regions - a body that comprises more than 350 members from all Member States - since its inception. Currently, the Region is represented by the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro.
 
Its primary goal is to issue reports on today's relevant political issues and prepare legislative proposals in areas related to the exercise of regional and local power in Europe, such as the case of economic and social cohesion, employment, vocational training, education and culture, health, social policies, environment, climate change, energy and transport.