The sudden closure of borders between European countries decided in spring 2020, almost unthinkable prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, has had far-reaching consequences in human and economic terms for the inhabitants of border regions, which constitute one in every three European regions. During a debate on inter-regional and cross-border co-operation at the 41st Session on 27 October 2021, the Chamber of Regions of the Congress reiterated the importance of that co-operation and recommended action to reinforce it.

It would be an understatement to say that the closure of borders was a deeply traumatic experience, not only for Europe's citizens but also for its local and regional elected representatives: Pavel Branda (Czech Republic, ECR) who sits both in the Congress and on the EU's Committee of the Regions (CoR), chairing the latter's inter-regional group on cross-border co-operation, presented the resolution adopted on this topic by the CoR. It calls on all the States to consult their local and regional authorities before taking any such measure, while hoping that this issue will never arise again. Mr Branda then reiterated the importance of cross-border co-operation for Europe's future, even if that co-operation had to "grow like a plant, requiring constant attention". Describing the closure of borders as a return to the "bad old days", he saw their reopening as a sign of confidence for co-operation in Europe but believed that it was now necessary to strengthen the legal frameworks governing inter-regional and cross-border co-operation, including by dedicating a permanent structure to that purpose, and implement initiatives to build trust between border populations, which is the basis for successful cooperation.

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