Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă called on Wednesday, 6 February, to strengthen European cohesion, stressing the need for a strong cohesion policy in the future budget of the European Union, during a debate at the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions.
According to Ms Dăncilă, strengthening European cohesion is of crucial importance and needs the full support of all regions and cities, especially in an era of growing populism.
Presenting the priorities of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU to local and regional politicians, the leader stressed the need for a common commitment to competitiveness, convergence and security.
"Europe faces many challenges and we must show unity and solidarity [...] We must all redouble our efforts to show the real benefits of the EU in the daily lives of citizens", she said.
The Romanian Prime Minister also called for the future EU budget to provide adequate resources to strengthen European cohesion, in order to ensure both growth and convergence.
"Without it [European cohesion policy], regional and local disparities would be even greater", she stressed.
For his part, Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the Committee of the Regions, urged national governments and local and regional authorities to unite for a common goal: renewing Europe (see our EUROPE 12188 interview).
"There is no European Union without cohesion, and there will be no cohesion without the full participation of cities and regions", he said, echoing Ms Dăncilă.
Approaching the 8th Summit of Regions and Cities to be held in March in Bucharest, he has already warned: "The EU must give more voice and support to cities and regions: this will be the message of the Summit to EU27 leaders meeting in Sibiu on 9 May". (Original version in French by Damien Genicot - intern)