The allocation, for the first time, of the Cohesion Policy and Reforms portfolio to an Executive Vice-President of the European Commission is “recognition, that Europe cannot go forward without a strong cohesion”, said Raffaele Fitto, the new Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of this portfolio, on Thursday 12 December in Brussels.
Mr Fitto’s appearance at this joint meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development (REGI) and the European Committee of the Regions’ (CoR) Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) was eagerly awaited. On the one hand, because it was the first public speech given by the new Executive Vice-President after the hearings of the new Commissioners and on the other, because MEPs and local and regional elected representatives were hoping to hear strong rhetoric after the controversial plans being considered within the European Commission to centralise Cohesion Policy (see EUROPE 13534/4).
“We were somewhat reassured by his comments regarding the central role of regions and cities, but a Cohesion Policy with regions at its centre is not the same thing as a Cohesion Policy with regions who manage things”, summarised Isabelle Boudineau (PES, French) from the CoR (see EUROPE 13529/8 on the CoR’s opinions on the future of the Cohesion Policy).
Mr Fitto spoke of the need for a modernised cohesion and growth policy, with the regions at the heart of it. “The Cohesion policy has to maintain a central role in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and be properly funded. It needs to be better aligned with the Union’s priorities while preserving its core principles of a place-based approach, multi-level governance and partnership”, argued Mr Fitto.
He also noted that President Ursula von der Leyen had committed to injecting liquidity into the housing sector. “The Cohesion Policy will contribute to that, facilitating Member States to double the planned cohesion investments in affordable housing”. The Executive Vice-President also advocated a “reinforced and modernised” Cohesion Policy for the post-2027 period. The Cohesion Policy is designed to reduce disparities and support European priorities (the green transition, digital transition, etc.).
Mr Fitto identified a number of priorities in reading the 9th Cohesion Report: simplifying the delivery mechanism, focusing more on performance, allowing regional and local authorities to manage the funds more effectively, building administrative capacity and, “of course, building in more flexibility, to better react to new situations and unexpected crises, while still maintaining the stable, long-term framework”.
While recognising the need to further simplify the Cohesion Policy, MEPs together with local and regional elected representatives are opposed to any future centralisation. They called for the preservation of the ‘golden principles’ of the policy, such as shared management between European, national and local authorities and a location-based approach.
Emil Boc (EPP, Romanian), the Chair of the COTER Commission, believes that when there is talk about the Cohesion Policy, there are no net beneficiaries or contributors, only “net winners”. In his view, the Cohesion Policy is more necessary than ever.
Adrian-Dragoş Benea (S&D, Romanian), who is Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development, defended having a strong and better-funded Cohesion Policy. In his view, the Cohesion Policy must not be weakened or excessively centralised, and its long-term objectives must not be compromised. At the same time, there is a need to build upon adaptations that are necessary because of climate change, housing policies, and to prepare for enlargement. “It is crucial that there is an adequate budget for all this”.
Some participants were sorry to note that Mr Fitto had left before the debate, leaving just after his speech to MEPs and to local elected representatives (see EUROPE 13532/6).
Link to Mr Fitto’s speech: https://aeur.eu/f/es6 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)