“Cross-border cooperation and solidarity between European cities are crucial in times of crises. Cities and regions in other Council of Europe member States have valuable experiences that we can use to strengthen reception policies for successful long-term integration of migrants and asylum seekers and for building inclusive societies”, said Bernd Vöhringer (EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities, at the meeting of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Paris, France, on 7 December 2022.

In his contribution to the discussion on a forthcoming PACE report on “European solidarity in the migration and asylum context”, Mr Vöhringer, co-rapporteur of the recently adopted Congress report on the reception of women and children refugees, stressed that growing geopolitical tensions and human rights abuses could lead to an increasing number of refugees in Europe’s cities and regions. He reiterated the need to build stronger dialogue and co-ordination between local/regional authorities, and their national associations on migration-related issues as well as with central authorities and counterparts from other European countries.

While referring to the support for Ukraine in facing unprecedented aggression by Russia, he highlighted the importance of fostering longer-term partnerships and co-operation in view of rebuilding Ukraine. “The Congress’ Cities4Cities platform, aimed at matching the needs of Ukrainian cities and regions with the supply capacity and knowledge of other European cities and regions, is an important example of city-to-city solidarity and exchange of expertise in this endeavour”, he emphasised.