A “strong and modernised cohesion policy is key in stimulating regional and local sustainable growth” in line with the objectives of the European Union, said the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament on Friday 4 July in its position on cohesion policy in the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034 (see EUROPE 13672/9).
The Renew Europe group is therefore calling for an “appropriate budget” for this policy after 2027 and for support to be targeted as a priority towards the “least developed” areas. Like the other political forces in the European Parliament, it opposes any attempt to weaken or centralise cohesion policy.
Cohesion policy funds can, on a voluntary basis, “play a valuable role for European defence and civil preparedness and for the creation of high quality jobs in the local defence industries”, according to the document.
Support for defence, whether through military mobility, dual-use infrastructure, or the strengthening of defence industries in less developed regions will reinforce regional development and economic resilience, according to these MEPs.
However, they stress that this must remain in line with the main objective of cohesion policy funds, which is to reduce regional disparities. Diverting these funds from this priority purpose and from the regions to which they are allocated “risks weakening public trust and deepening economic imbalances”, warns the group.
Read the group’s position: https://aeur.eu/f/hpj (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)