General Affairs Council (Cohesion), 30 November 2023

Main results

Future of cohesion policy

The Council approved conclusions on the future of cohesion policy.

The conclusions set out the Council’s position on the outlook of cohesion policy once the current multiannual financial framework comes to an end in 2027, including its key features that are to be kept and developed in the future.

They will serve as a basis for discussions on the future of cohesion policy in the coming years and in view of the Commission’s work on the legislative framework for cohesion policy after 2027.

• Cohesion policy: Council sets out guiding principles for the future (press release, 30 November 2023)

Cohesion policy and strategic autonomy 

Ministers discussed how cohesion policy could contribute to pursuing European strategic autonomy.

The various new geopolitical, technological and environmental challenges have emphasised the need to reduce the EU’s dependencies in areas such as energy, health supplies, digital technologies or food, to support the competitiveness of large EU companies in strategic sectors, and to counteract their relocation outside the EU.

During the debate, ministers stressed the importance of addressing these challenges, including by supporting large EU companies in strategic sectors, while expressing various views on the role of cohesion policy in this regard. 

Some speakers pointed to different ways in which cohesion policy is already supporting the EU’s competitiveness through its future-oriented investments and smart specialisation strategies. Several ministers emphasised the importance of keeping the support for SMEs and supporting the entire value chain, making the entire business ecosystem more competitive. The importance of ensuring a level playing field in the single market was also raised several times.

There was broad agreement that cohesion policy support for the EU’s strategic autonomy objectives should remain compatible with the policy’s core objective of supporting harmonious regional development across the EU, with a focus on the specific needs of individual regions.

• Background note for the debate

2014-2020 programming period

Ministers also discussed what measures could be taken to help increase the absorption of cohesion policy funds in the 2014-2020 period, which stood at 84% at the end of October 2023.

The pace of implementation of European Structural and Investment Funds in this period was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and increased energy prices. Several legislative amendments have been introduced to respond to these crises, including changes in eligibility and implementation rules.

During the discussion, ministers raised various measures that could be taken to increase the absorption rate and reduce the administrative burden for managing authorities, such as giving more time for the closure of this programming period, while also pointing to the urgency of deciding on this matter in the light of the upcoming closure deadlines.

• Background note for the debate

Other business

Under ‘any other business’, the presidency also highlighted the relevance for cohesion of Council conclusions on a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas, which were approved on 20 November.

The conclusions provide political guidance to the Commission and member states on their future actions in support of these areas, which cover more than 80% of the EU’s territory.

• Council conclusions on a Long-Term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas, 20 November 2023
• Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 20 November 2023