The Italian Raffaele Fitto, candidate for the post of Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reform at the European Commission, remains rather vague on the possibility of introducing a stronger link between the disbursement of cohesion funds and the implementation of reforms in the Member States of the European Union, in his answers to questions from Members of the European Parliament, prior to his hearing scheduled for 12 November.
The expected appointment of this member of Giorgia Meloni’s post-fascist Fratelli d'Italia (FDI) party (belonging to the ECR political group in the European Parliament) to the post of executive vice-president in Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission has provoked an outcry from the left and centre in the European Parliament, where his hearing promises to be a heated one (see EUROPE 13499/24).
With regard to the Rule of law, Italy’s former Minister for European Affairs points out that the ‘general regime of conditionality’ (regulation on conditionality linked to the Rule of law) will apply to all EU funds, and that lessons will have to be drawn from the experience gathered with the implementation of the current budget and the funds of the European Recovery Plan, Next Generation EU, “including a closer link between reforms and strengthening the Rule of law”.
“I will ensure that reforms are carefully aligned with regional realities and that Cohesion Policy remains a driving force for growth and convergence across all regions, enhancing productivity, competitiveness, and innovation, without leaving any region behind”, he says.
His vision for Cohesion Policy post-2027 focuses on strengthening convergence, reducing regional disparities and supporting all regions - particularly the least developed - to ensure sustainable economic, territorial and social cohesion.
The post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will be an opportunity to design a “strengthened and modernised” cohesion and growth policy, he said. And cohesion policy also needs to be more targeted, simpler and more effective.
MEPs are expected to question Mr Fitto on possible reforms to the EU budget, which have provoked the ire of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) (see EUROPE 13498/11, 13498/12). Some 530 programmes currently in place in each EU country would be brought together in a single national fund that would determine spending in areas ranging from agricultural subsidies to cohesion policy, according to a controversial internal Commission document.
As far as the impact of enlargement on the EU’s Cohesion Policy is concerned, the objectives of the latter remain valid in an enlarged Union, replied Mr Fitto. To prepare for an enlarged Union, it is necessary to “carry out a comprehensive reflection on the future of Cohesion Policy”, according to the Italian.
Recovery and Resilience Facility. The best way to ensure that this instrument is used as effectively as possible is to help Member States to fully meet their commitments by 2026, says Mr Fitto. “This is our collective responsibility and a key upcoming challenge for both Member States and the Commission”, he admits. He intends to work hand-in-hand with the Commissioner for Economy and Productivity “in order for the Member States to deliver on the agreed reforms and investments set out in the Recovery and Resilience plans by the 2026 expenditure deadline, as set out in my mission letter”. The goal remains, he adds, to achieve full implementation of commitments and, therefore, full disbursement of funds committed under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
As we approach the final 2026 deadline, the Commission will be assessing continuously whether Member States deliver on their commitments and the final milestones and targets are likely to be fulfilled by then, adds the Executive Vice-President-designate. Should that not be the case, “I will engage with the relevant Member States on how to amend their plans and ensure that funds are focused on equally ambitious alternative investments that can be completed within the lifetime of the Facility”.
If, despite these efforts, some of the last milestones or targets are still considered as not satisfactorily fulfilled, the corresponding disbursement will not be made, writes Mr Fitto.
To see Mr Fitto’s written answers: https://aeur.eu/f/e1b (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)