On Monday 13 October, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto stressed the importance of an “integrated approach” between agriculture and cohesion in the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 (see EUROPE 13682/5).
He pointed out that the national and regional plans provide €300 billion for agriculture and €452 billion for cohesion, rural development and fisheries.
Mr Fitto stressed that this “integration” was crucial to meeting the needs of rural areas. As Executive Vice-President, he coordinates several portfolios (agriculture, tourism, transport, fisheries, blue economy) to ensure a “common approach” between these areas. He reiterated that each national and regional plan will be adapted to each Member State’s specific needs, while remaining integrated into the European approach.
Mr Fitto highlighted the regions’ central importance in European cohesion policy. A minimum of €218 billion will be allocated to the EU’s least developed areas. He stressed the need to maintain a “strong role” for the regions in designing and implementing the programmes “because the regions (...) know local needs very well, and I think it will be fundamental to confirm this approach if we are to continue in this direction in the future”.
President of the European Committee of the Regions Kata Tüttő expressed serious concerns about the 2028-2034 proposal (see EUROPE 13683/14). She emphasised that cohesion policy should not be seen as a “charity fund”, but as a tool for long-term investment and stabilisation. She warned that the current proposal risked “nationalising” cohesion policy, disconnecting it from the regions and creating competition between agricultural and cohesion funds, which could weaken the EU’s social, territorial and economic fabric.
Eastern border regions. For these regions, Mr Fitto stressed the importance of working together with Member States and regional authorities in order to understand their needs and adapt European policies to their particular situation. By the end of 2025, the Commission will adopt the ‘Pact for Eastern Border Regions’, with a clear assessment of these regions’ needs and appropriate measures to meet them. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)