There is no European democracy without regions. This is the core message of the AER 40th Anniversary Debate, hosted by AER President Lukas Mandl on 9 December 2025, which will gather regional and institutional representatives from across Europe at the Lower Austrian Liaison Office in Brussels. For forty years, AER has highlighted the role of regions in anchoring European … [Read more...]
Highlights of the AER 40th Anniversary & General Assembly 2025 | Maribor Innovation Forum
From 17 to 19 June, more than 150 representatives of European regions gathered in Maribor, Eastern Slovenia, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Assembly of European Regions (AER). The anniversary was an opportunity to reflect upon the achievements of 40 years of interregional cooperation. It was also a source of inspiration for discussions of the 2025 General Assembly, … [Read more...]
AER Elections 2025 – Shape the Future of Our Network
An Electoral General Assembly on the occasion of the AER 40th Anniversary The 2025 AER General Assembly in Maribor (Eastern Slovenia) will mark the election of the new political leadership of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), including its Presidency, Executive Board and Political Bureau. Deadline to apply for the AER Presidency and AER Executive … [Read more...]
AER Statement on third Anniversary of Ukraine Invasion
On the third anniversary of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, AER President, Albert Castellanos Maduell has issued a statement of solidarity with the people of Ukraine on behalf of the Assembly of European Regions (AER). In line with the fundamental values of democracy, human rights and cooperation that underpin our Statutes, this statement … [Read more...]
The AER at the 22nd European Week of Regions and Cities
Empowering communities requires action on multiple levels and fields. During the European Week of Regions and Cities, the AER political leadership put forward our commitment to advocating for Cohesion Policy as means to ensure territorial cohesion and boosting competitiveness. President Albert Castellanos (Catalonia, ES), Vice President Linda Helén Haukland (Nordland, NO) … [Read more...]
Ukraine Focus Group—new partnerships between Catalonia Trade & Investment and Ukrainian Regions
At the launch of a new platform for cooperation between EU and Ukrainian enterprises, Catalonia Trade and Investment (ACCIÓ) signed letters of intention with Ukrainian member regions Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk It is no secret that financing Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery will depend, to a large extent, on significant financial support from international institutions, … [Read more...]
AER President issues statement following recent attacks on Ukraine
In the first week of September 2024, a Russian barrage targeted the civilian populations and infrastructure of Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Lviv and Poltava. In the aftermath of this deadly attack, AER President Albert Castellanos issued the following statement: 'There are no words to fully express the injustice of such an appalling, callous attack on the … [Read more...]
AER Statement on the European Day of Languages 2023
The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is committed to the cultural development of all our member regions. Culture, and cultural diversity are key elements of regional sustainability, and language is a fundamental element of Europe’s shared cultural heritage. Read the full AER statement on the occasion of the European Day of Languages by AER President, Albert Castellanos … [Read more...]
AER President
Lukas Mandl Region: Lower Austria (AT), Member of the European Parliament Lukas Mandl is the President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) since June 2025. Member of the European Parliament for the European People’s Party (EPP), he is a member of the Committees on Committee on Development (DEVE), Legal Affairs (JURI), Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs … [Read more...]