Catalonia takes over the presidency of the Four Motors for Europe

Catalonia has officially taken over the presidency of the Four Motors for Europe, a leading interregional cooperation network made up of Catalonia, Baden-Württemberg, Lombardy, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The handover took place last week during a ceremony in Varese, Italy.

The president of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, stated that Catalonia assumed the presidency of the Four Motors for Europe with a double commitment. "First, to work for a closer, more inclusive, more plural and more united European Union", ensuring that these four regions have a stronger voice in European institutions. Second, to generate shared prosperity: "The best way to guarantee Europe's future is to guarantee its ability to generate prosperity."

“The best way to guarantee Europe's future is to guarantee its ability to generate prosperity”

Salvador Illa, President of the Government of Catalonia

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Under Catalonia’s leadership, the Four Motors for Europe will focus on four strategic priorities, aligned with the European Union’s broader agenda: leading innovation in advanced technologies, gaining strategic autonomy, security and resilience, decarbonizing to stay competitive, and supporting an inclusive economy.

The Four Motors for Europe, a pioneer network of regional cooperation

The Four Motors for Europe is a transnational, interregional network of four highly industrialized and research-oriented European regions.

On September 9, 1988, the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (France), Baden-Württemberg (Germany), Catalonia (Spain), and Lombardy (Italy) signed a cooperation agreement constituting the Four Motors for Europe's network. 

The Four Motors for Europe was one of the first European regional networks. Its foundation coincided with major processes of European integration. During these developments, the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992 created the European Union, strengthening the role of regions in the EU and creating the Single Market.

Since then, Four Motors for Europe has supported a strong European position and served as an example of a stronger international affiliation among European regions. The group actively contributes to European affairs, especially by issuing common positions on EU policy initiatives.