The EU’s cohesion budget after 2027 should be increased to reflect the major needs and challenges within the EU, according to the report published on Tuesday 20 February by the high-level group of specialists on the future of cohesion policy.
The European Commission made it clear that this is not an institutional report, but an independent report that provides a robust frame of reference.
“Reducing investment in cohesion would be a mistake”, say the authors of the report, who make a number of recommendations to guide the next Commission’s work on reforming this policy at the end of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
At the very least, the future budget should correspond to that for the period 2021-2027 in real terms, as any reduction would compromise the EU’s commitment to its political priorities, the report also states. In addition, the prospect of enlargement will have a significant impact on the MFF and the funds allocated to cohesion policy. “With potential enlargements, the EU will have to deal with increased economic, social and territorial disparities. These changes underscore the necessity for a robust, EU-wide Cohesion Policy particularly in the face of new challenges and costs including integrating new Member States”, according to the report.
During the presentation of this report, Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion, stressed that cohesion policy had to adapt to meet the new challenges.
Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, stressed the importance of solidarity. Some people think that this policy is a thing of the past, but he believes that this is wrong. He called for a “stronger and better” cohesion policy. He conceded the need to improve the way this policy operates, to take account of the challenges.
“I largely agree with the elements suggested” by the experts, said Younous Omarjee (The Left, French), chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development. He recognised the need to reform cohesion policy while maintaining its fundamental principles. He suggested that cohesion objectives be included in the country-specific recommendations under the ‘European Semester’.
The President of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and the Budget (COTER) of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Emil Boc, spoke of a “broad convergence” between the conclusions of the group of experts and the CoR opinion.
The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council reiterated its hope that the General Affairs Council on 18 June will adopt conclusions on the future of cohesion policy (see EUROPE 13344/6).
Reflection on the future of cohesion policy will continue at the 9th Cohesion Forum (11-12 April). The Commission will publish the 9th Cohesion Report in mid-March 2024.
Link to the experts’ report: https://aeur.eu/f/ax1 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)