The European Commission’s Executive Vice-President, Raffaele Fitto, offered some reassurance to local and regional elected representatives during a plenary debate at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), on Thursday 3 April, with regard to the recent proposal for a mid-term review of European cohesion policy (see EUROPE 13612/12).
The leaders welcomed the Commission’s recognition of the need to support EU regions facing existing and new policy priorities, such as the housing crisis and water resilience.
However, concerns have been expressed about the possible additional administrative burden arising from the reprogramming of funds, or the risk of diverting cohesion policy from its long-term objectives. CoR members reiterated their opposition to any attempt to centralise cohesion policy (see EUROPE 13611/10).
CoR members appreciated Mr Fitto’s openness to dialogue and his commitment to respecting the fundamental principles of cohesion policy, including the territorialised approach, the partnership principle and multi-level governance.
The CoR will assess and improve the proposals on the table, which offer the possibility, on a voluntary basis, of redirecting cohesion policy resources towards five priorities: competitiveness, defence, affordable housing, water resilience and energy transition (see EUROPE 13612/12).
Kata Tüttő, President of the CoR, welcomed the proposed flexibility: “We need to look at this proposal through the eyes of an optimist. I see housing and other crucial priorities, such as water and energy”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)