Warsaw, 26/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - The future of regional cohesion policy was discussed at the beginning of the week, in the Polish capital. Emphasis was placed on urban areas experiencing difficulties. The European commissioner responsible for regional policy, Johannes Hahn, declared that “when one talks of regional cohesion, it is not just a question regarding rural areas”. The Polish minister responsible for regional development, Elzbieta Bienkowska, added that “even though urban areas are poles of attractiveness, they also have needs, particularly at the level of urban transport, unemployment and also difficulties linked to human capital”.
In order to build the “cities of the future” the Commission presented proposals at the beginning of October. These proposals also include the idea of compelling member states to “use at least 5% of the European regional development allocation for action related to sustainable urban development”, Hahn pointed out.
In his opinion, Europe has changed: “More than 70% of the population live in cities. 80% of the population will live in the city in the future. We have to adopt a policy that corresponds to this development and which encompasses an integrated approach.” The Polish minister added: “In this context we have to build solid links upon a city-countryside line of action.” This measure primarily targets the implementation of the EU 2020 strategy objectives.
Commissioner Johannes Hahn used this conference as an opportunity to return to one of the key components in the 2014-2020 budget that relates to the proposal for funding of up to €400 million for innovative investments “so that we can focus on excellence”. (VW/transl.fl)