From the Connecting Europe Days to the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels, this month the network has been engaging with European institutions and partners on the issues shaping our cities’ future.
Connecting Europe Days 2026
Attending the Connecting Days, the European Commission’s flagship event for transport and mobility, alongside our member and vice-president (Brest métropole), was the opportunity to follow more closely the Atlantic Corridor execution and the new 2026 Work Plan presented by François Bausch, its European Coordinator.
The issues presented are crucial for our territories: completion of cross-border rail links, deployment of ERTMS signalling, modernisation of railway lines to strengthen passenger and freight services, improvement of the connection of ports and of major infrastructure with local mobility networks.
Member States must honour implementation deadlines (2030 and 2040) and coordinate investments across borders. Delays on one section can undermine the benefits of projects elsewhere along the corridor. Atlantic Cities will remain vigilant about delivery, building on our advocacy work in 2019–2021 to strengthen the recognition and inclusion of several Atlantic cities and ports within the core network of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
EU Week of Regions and Cities 2026
We were also glad to attend, one more year, the European Week of Regions and Cities, as it is a key opportunity to put the spotlight on the work of local governments. Closest to citizens, they play a crucial role in turning European priorities into tangible policies and improvements in people’s everyday lives.
Discussions during this year’s event explored why a strong EU Cohesion Policy matters, why it is not temporary support but a key, long-term investment to reduce territorial inequalities and strengthen local economies. They also highlighted the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders — regions, cities, civil society — in the design and implementation of the new National and Regional Partnership Plans.
At a time when negotiations on the EU’s next long-term budget (MFF) are underway, protecting and strengthening Cohesion Policy is essential.
We were also delighted to welcome visitors to our stand on 14 October! It was a great opportunity to connect with municipalities, NGOs, projects and EU initiatives, and explore opportunities for collaboration. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and shared their perspectives with us!
#AtlanticArc #ConnectingEuropeDays #CED2026 #EUWRC #EURegionsWeek #AtlanticCorridor
