President Cordeiro, Draghi's report demonstrates the need for a Cohesion Policy available to all European regions

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​​The future reform of Cohesion Policy as cornerstone of the European investment policy in the next decade was the main focus of the exchange of views between the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Vasco Alves Cordeiro, and the members of the committee on regional development of the European Parliament (REGI). The meeting took place a few hours after Mario Draghi presented his report on the future of European competitiveness to the press.

The Draghi's report was described as a "key contribution to a much-needed debate" by President Cordeiro during his speech to the new members of the REGI committee, chaired by Adrian-Dragoş Benea. The report, "clearly demonstrates that Cohesion Policy must remain and be renovated, as well as the need for more investments in all regions to address new challenges. The CoR is looking forward to engaging on this matter", said President Cordeiro.

He added: "Cohesion is not a vague word, it is at the heart of what binds all territories in Europe together. We are not in a position to consider Cohesion Policy, as it is today, untouchable. It has key aspects that need to be kept and others that need to be reformed. It needs to remain a policy that covers all regions and remain a long term investment policy, but we call for a single framework for funds under share management. It needs to remain a policy delivered under shared management and partnership principles, but we call for a stronger role for local and regional authorities in the design and delivery of the policy. Cohesion Policy is what makes Europe happen everywhere. It is not a charity policy, but the policy that strengthens the ability of regions to face challenges and opportunities."

President Cordeiro is the first external speaker to address the new members of the REGI committee. His intervention was followed by the one of the Commissioner for cohesion and reforms Elisa Ferreira.

More information

Re- watch the debate.​

On 7 October, during the 22^ndEuropean Week of Regions and Cities, the CoR will publish its EU Annual Report on the State of Regions and Cities. President Cordeiro will deliver his speech on the State of Regions and Cities, based on the report outlining the most pressing challenges faced by local and regional communities across Europe, as well as possible solutions coming from the experience of local leaders on the ground.

The CoR and other founding partners of the EU-wide #CohesionAlliance, launched a joint call to the European institutions and national governments to keep Cohesion Policy as the main pillar of the EU's development model over the next decade. Sign the joint call.

President Cordeiro and the Chair of the CoR's commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget, and Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Boc (RO/EPP), are the co-rapporteurs of the opinion which will assess the 9^th Cohesion Report and the conclusions of the group of High-level specialists on the future of Cohesion Policy. The final adoption of the opinion is scheduled for November 2024.

President Cordeiro and COTER Chair Boc were previously co-rapporteurs on the opinion on the future of Cohesion Policy, adopted by unanimity at the Plenary session in November 2023. 

​Contact:
Monica Tiberi - Spokesperson of President Cordeiro
Tel: +32 479 51 74 43
[email protected]