On 7 October, in the opening session of the 2013 Open Days, European Commission President Barroso said that the European Commission was looking forward to this consultation's results and to the CoR contribution to the mid-term review of the strategy started  in 2014.

The main goal is to was to provide content and support to the CoR Political Declaration on the Future of Europe 2020 as seen by EU cities and regions in view of the legislature started in January 2015.