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Ministers held an exchange of views on a more dynamic and strategic cohesion policy by delivering change in the current and next multiannual financial perspective. The Council also approved conclusions on cohesion and cohesion policy post-2027. Under ‘any other business’, ministers were informed about a non-paper on ‘A strong cohesion policy for growth, convergence and competitiveness’ supported by 16 member states.
It is time to turn words into actions. The EU has to face challenges: war in Ukraine, increase the EU’s competitiveness, resilience and defence capacity. EU must be stronger and more independent. The time to act and modernise cohesion policy to the new geopolitical situation is now.
Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Minister for Funds and Regional Policy of Poland
Policy debate on cohesion policy
The Council held an exchange of views based on a presidency paper titled ‘A more dynamic and strategic cohesion policy: delivering change in the current and next perspective’. Ministers discussed how the treaty objectives of cohesion policy should be achieved, and multi-level governance promoted in the new architecture of EU policies after 2027. The Council also explored ways for the future cohesion policy to be programmed within one plan for each country, including reforms and investments at national and sub-national level. Finally, in light of the European Commission's approach, as set out in its work programme containing the EU’s main objectives and priorities for the coming years, and the relevant European Council's conclusions, ministers discussed how cohesion policy could be adapted already in the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to respond effectively to emerging priorities and needs.
Council conclusions on cohesion and cohesion policy post-2027
The Council approved conclusions on cohesion and cohesion policy post-2027. The text highlights the importance of economic, social and territorial cohesion and its role in addressing EU challenges. The conclusions also reaffirm that competitiveness and cohesion are interconnected, emphasising the role of both enhancing competitiveness of the EU as a whole and improving cohesion across countries and regions, thereby contributing to the achievement of EU strategic priorities and addressing EU challenges in a mutually reinforcing manner. The text recalls the foundations and key principles of cohesion policy and stresses that shared management between the European Commission and member states must remain the delivery method of cohesion policy. Finally, the conclusions recall that cohesion policy is a long-term investment policy and that improving its efficiency and effectiveness can be achieved by focusing on results.
Under ‘any other business’ and in consideration of the future cohesion policy in the next MFF, ministers were informed by the Romanian delegation about a non-paper regarding the need for ‘A strong cohesion policy for growth, convergence and competitiveness’. The document advocates for a strong cohesion policy as a key driver for convergence, resilience and competitiveness, through a viable and robust budget, safeguarded in the next MFF, the regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita as the main criterion for regional categorisation, as well as through the preservation of shared management and the other core principles of cohesion policy. The non-paper was supported by Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain.
Informal lunch
Over an informal lunch, ministers held an exchange of views with the participation of the president of the EU’s Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttö, on ways to provide adequate funding for a cohesion policy that builds a secure, competitive and resilient European Union.
