Eastern Macedonia–Thrace and Poland forge strategic alliance in Brussels
Initiative Launched for a Network of Europe’s Eastern Regions
Brussels, March 4, 2026 – The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) is advancing a new outward-looking strategy aimed at strengthening its presence within European decision-making structures. Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis met in Brussels with Władysław Ortyl, Governor of the Podkarpackie Region of Poland, to discuss the formation of a coordinated alliance among Europe’s eastern frontier regions.
The meeting took place at the EMT regional office in Brussels and focused on enhancing institutional cooperation among regions located along the European Union’s eastern borders.
Proposal: Network of Eastern European Regions
At the core of the discussions was a proposal to establish a Network of Eastern Regions of Europe, designed to amplify their collective voice within EU institutions.
According to officials, the initiative aims to:
- Strengthen institutional coordination between eastern EU regions
- Facilitate knowledge and best-practice exchange
- Develop a structured cooperation framework
- Advocate jointly for EU funding and policy priorities reflecting the specific geopolitical and economic challenges of border regions
The initiative reflects growing awareness among EU frontier regions of the need for coordinated representation in Brussels, particularly in areas such as cohesion policy, infrastructure investment, security, and cross-border development.
“Turning Geography into an Advantage”
Governor Topsidis emphasized that geography should be viewed as a strategic asset rather than a limitation.
“I firmly believe that when regions cooperate strategically, they can turn their geography into an advantage,” Topsidis said, highlighting EMT’s position on the EU’s southeastern frontier as a potential catalyst for growth and development.
Both sides expressed willingness to continue consultations and explore formal mechanisms to institutionalize the cooperation framework.
The proposed network could mark a significant step toward strengthening the collective bargaining power of eastern EU regions within European policy-making circles.
