EU elections: Cohesion Policy is the solution to keep Europe united and deliver on the green and digital transitions

​​​​​At the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities, the #CohesionAlliance called for a strong and renewed Cohesion Policy in the next decade. 

With less than three months to go before the European elections, cities and regions are unanimous in confirming the need for a strengthened Cohesion Policy to deliver on a just transition as part of the future EU investment framework centred on supporting economic, social and territorial cohesion. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR), together with the founding partners of the EU-wide coalition #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 in the next decade.​

Recent farmers' protests are the most visible sign of a rising discontent against EU's green and economic policies that could increase poverty and social exclusion across the continent, notably in rural areas. During the plenary debate that animated the first day of the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Mons (Belgium), national ministers, European Commissioners, representatives of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, together with regional governors and mayors, agreed on the imperative need for Europe to achieve a green transition that is fair for all citizens and industrial sectors. Economic, social and territorial cohesion should be at the top of the EU agenda, continue to boost digital and environmental transitions, and improve resilience to disasters and crises at all levels.​​  

As outlined also by the former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, the Single Market can only be successful thanks to a strong Cohesion Policy supporting all regions. Mr Letta, who is currently President of the Jacques Delors Institute, was tasked by EU institutions to write a report on the future of the Single Market, to be published in the coming weeks.  

During the debate, the President of the CoR, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, launched the #CohesionAlliance joint call on EU institutions and national governments for a “renewed Cohesion Policy post-2027 that leaves no one behind". The call states the principles on which the future EU regional policy should be based in order to remain a fundamental pillar of the EU development model and the core long-term, decentralised investment policy of the future EU budget.   

Quotes: 

Vasco Alves Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions, said: “We now stand at a crossroads: as Europeans cast their vote, it is up to us that Europe answers with solidarity and progress. This is why, more than ever, we need to speak beyond those who are already convinced that Cohesion Policy is the solution to ensure that no people and no places are left behind in the wake of the green and digital transitions." 

Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, said: “Cohesion Policy's crucial role in keeping Europe together was once again highlighted at this important Summit. In light of the unprecedented challenges the EU is facing, our common European house will only thrive if no place or person feels left behind, if we are able to harness everyone's talent in delivering on our ambitions. Cohesion Policy is now more necessary than ever!". 

Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, said: “The green and digital transitions have to work for everyone, or they will not work at all. Cohesion Policy is a powerful tool to help those most affected face the challenges the transitions bring, and to help all regions reap the benefits. The EU must keep fairness and inclusion at the heart of its policies going forward. Europe is its cities and regions". 

Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Prime Minister of Italy, who was tasked by EU institutions to write a report on the future of the Single Market, said: “The Single Market is made up of towns, territories and citizens, each with their own specific characteristics. As Jacques Delors has always advocated, the completion of the Single Market must be accompanied by cohesion policies that enable everyone to seize its opportunities." 

Background:  

Among the speakers of the debate entitled “Just transition and cohesion at the heart of future EU investment policies", there were Vasco Alves Cordeiro, CoR President, Elio Di Rupo, Minister-President of the Wallonia Region and CoR Member, Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy and Employment, Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms,  Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Dominique Faure, French Minister Delegate for Local Authorities and Rural Affairs, Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute (remotely), Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca (RO) and Chair of the CoR commission for territorial cohesion policy and EU budget, and Oliver Paasch, Minister-President of the German-speaking Community of Belgium. 

The debate took place during the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities, which is bringing in Mons (Belgium), thousands of regional governors, mayors, and local councillors together with members of the European Parliament, representatives of national governments, the European Commission and the civil society to address some of the pressing challenges that local communities in the EU will face over the next years. To review the session and follow live the incoming ones, use this link.  

Together with the leading European associations of cities and regions, the CoR is a founding partner of the #CohesionAlliance, whose mission is to affirm cohesion as a fundamental value of the European Union and a key objective for all its policies and investments. 

To sign the joint call, use this link.

Photos of the European Summit of Regions and Cities. 

​Contacts: 

Monica Tiberi – Spokesperson of the President

Tel: +32 479 51 74 43 

Monica.tiberi@cor.europa.eu 

Matteo Miglietta

Tel: +32 470 89 53 82 

Matteo.miglietta@cor.europa.eu