The European ministers responsible for cohesion policy will meet on 28 March in Brussels to debate cohesion policy and adopt conclusions outlining the shape of this policy after 2027.
At the meeting of the Committee of Member States’ Representatives to the EU (Coreper) on Wednesday 12 March, only Hungary did not support the draft conclusions presented by the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. This country objected to the reference in the draft conclusions to “the importance of the protection of the financial interest of the Union, considering the Regulation on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget”. According to this delegation, the reference to conditionality in terms of the rule of law is part of the forthcoming negotiations on the EU’s post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). On the contrary, around ten delegations advocated stronger language on the link between respect for the rule of law and the payment of cohesion policy funds.
The debate will continue at the ‘General Affairs’ Council on 28 March on cohesion policy, but the Polish Presidency of the EU Council plans to present conclusions supported by 26 EU countries, should Hungary maintain its criticism of the text.
The draft conclusions acknowledge that cohesion policy could enable “reforms relevant to Cohesion Policy objectives which are in line with the Union’s priorities” (see EUROPE 13584/11).
Draft conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/fwy (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)