Timișoara Cities Summit on

We, the Mayors, hereby call upon the European Institutions and our National Governments to:

Grant Cities a Seat at the Table: While the European Committee of the Regions plays an essential role in representing local and regional voices within the EU, there remains a pressing need to establish a more structured, permanent and concrete dialogue specifically with cities — from both Member States and candidate countries — on the future of Europe and the enlargement process. As the level of government closest to the people, our insights are crucial for creating policies that work on the ground and for building public support for our shared European future. This could be further developed as part of the City’s agenda currently under development by the European Commission.

Empower Cities to Deliver: Acknowledge that cities are key partners in delivering European promises to citizens. This requires overcoming persistent national political gatekeeping and bureaucratic hurdles that stifle progress. Mechanisms for direct EU funding to cities should be strengthened to ensure that investments respond to local realities rather than political considerations. While acknowledging the European Committee of the Region’s ongoing work, embedding cities further in both the design and implementation of EU policies—and protecting their autonomy and rights—would deepen democratic legitimacy and improve outcomes. We must explore and implement mechanisms for direct EU funding for cities to accelerate green and digital transitions, strengthen social cohesion, and ensure that EU investments are driven by local needs, not political loyalties. In this regard, the next Multiannual Financial Framework and Cohesion Policy should be consistent and oriented to also empower the local level, ensuring resources directly support communities where European policies take shape. We warmly welcome the initiative of the Commission to use the funds lost to member states due to breaches of the Rule of Law and Charter of Fundamentals Right, for the purpose of funding those “supporting Europe’s democracy, civil society, Union values or the fight against corruption”. Nonetheless, we believe that these funds should also be allocated to all final beneficiaries, cities and regions, that are in the country where funding has been suspended.

Enlargement in Action: City Partnerships: Building on successful initiatives, launching a dedicated, EU-financed programme for capacity building and the exchange of good practices between cities from EU Member States and candidate countries and expanding the TAIEX programme also to include the political representatives of our cities. Such a “NextGen City-to-City Governance’’ programme will build administrative capacity, accelerate alignment with EU standards, and forge the human connections that are the bedrock of our Union. In addition, programmes such as Erasmus+ should be scaled up to foster exchanges for young people and training for municipal actors, to promote collaboration and boost municipal skills in fields critical to the implementation of the EU legislation.

The future of Europe will be built in its cities. By empowering us, you empower our citizens. By strengthening us, you strengthen the entire European project. We stand ready to work with you to forge a continent that is whole, free, secure, and prosperous for all.