The mid-term review of cohesion policy was generally supported by MEPs on Tuesday 1 April, with the exception of the reallocation of funds to military spending.
According to Andrey Novakov (EPP, Bulgarian), regional policy has for many years provided unprecedented investment “for our regions, towns and villages”. However, regional policy is currently a “sleeping beauty”. In fact, actual payments account for only 10% of the €370 billion over the period 2021-2027.
“We must therefore act quickly, and I welcome Vice-President Fitto’s efforts in this direction”, he told the House. Mr Novakov felt that “if we don’t adapt this policy to current realities, it will die”. He also supported the creation of flexible rules to allow Member States to invest in defence industries.
Denis Nesci (ECR, Italian) felt that cohesion policy needed to be renewed to meet the new needs of the various Member States, by giving them greater flexibility. He welcomed the Vice-President’s emphasis on competitiveness and housing. The proposal is a step in the right direction, according to Mr Nesci.
Ľubica Karvašová (Renew Europe, Czech) agreed with others that the utilisation rate of the funds was not sufficient. She expressed her support for Mr Fitto’s efforts to facilitate access to EU funds, including for the eastern border regions.
Reluctance. Mohammed Chahim (S&D, Dutch) felt that “now is not the time to cut the funds that give Europe its social face”. The S&D group is “keen” to discuss the Commission’s idea of improving utilisation levels, particularly to reach under-represented regions, “but this does not mean that we can reallocate unspent cohesion funds unconditionally”.
According to Cristina Guarda (Greens/EFA, Italian), “we cannot make Europe’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens pay for arms”. She criticised those who want to empty the cohesion policy envelope to finance military spending. “What kind of common defence are we talking about if we leave behind those who need support, networks and services?” she asked. According to Ms Guarda, the review should strengthen and simplify cohesion, not “reduce it with a view to the next budget, sacrificing millions of people for the benefit of a few players in the war industry”.
“We must not abandon cohesion in favour of defence”, said Elena Kountourá (The Left, Greek).
Examination by the EU Council. Adam Szłapka, the Polish Minister for European Affairs, felt that the current Multiannual Financial Framework offered limited flexibility. “It is therefore inevitable that, in the face of the new and growing challenges facing the EU, the contribution of cohesion policy will be at the heart of the debate”, according to the Minister.
He added that the regions should remain at the heart of cohesion policy.
The Commission is proposing to adjust cohesion policy so that it better reflects the EU’s priorities and contributes more directly to competitiveness and defence. According to the Minister, this proposal offers Member States sufficient flexibility to adapt their programmes to current needs. The Member States have already recognised on several occasions the need for cohesion policy to adapt to the new situation, starting with the current MFF, in order to respond effectively to the EU’s emerging priorities and needs.
“Affordable housing, boosting competitiveness and strengthening our defence capabilities are key priorities for cohesion policy”, according to Adam Szłapka. Support is also needed for vulnerable regions, such as those on the EU’s external borders, particularly those bordering Russia and Belarus. “While I understand the Commission’s call for swift action on this legislative proposal, we must also ensure that we preserve the Treaty objectives relating to this policy”, stressed the Polish Presidency of the Council. The Minister stressed the need to ensure significant but balanced change. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)