Introductory remarks
President Tüttő, dear Kata,
Honourable Members,
Its wonderful to return here just a month after our last meeting. This frequent interaction highlights the importance I place on our relationship. Your insights are crucial, and I am dedicated to sustaining this valuable partnership.
Two days ago, the College approved a new initiative to modernize cohesion policy, reflecting this ongoing collaboration.
Cohesion policy is central to European policy, accounting for a third of the EU budget. Its mission is to minimize disparities among regions and promote balanced growth.
The principle of shared management guides this proposal, following extensive consultations with all Member States and stakeholders. Ive met with European ministers and visited eight Member States to understand regional needs better.
Being on the ground is vital for understanding Europes diverse regional needs. Cohesion policy offers tailored solutions for local challenges, as seen in visits to Greece and Finland.
Since the current cohesion programmes were signed in 2022, global circumstances have changed significantly. We face new challenges like competitiveness, defence, and resilience, alongside traditional ones like housing and water management.
The Commission has taken steps to relaunch cohesion policy, adopting a mid-term review package that includes a Communication and legislative proposal. This highlights our actions, future roadmap, and key areas like the Agenda for Cities, islands, and rural areas.
The proposal introduces targeted changes to funds like the European Regional Development Fund, offering incentives for five new priorities and accelerating implementation through simplification.
The changes allow Member States and regions to direct funds to emerging priorities now, with timing being crucial. Program amendments must be submitted within two months of the revised legislations entry into force, with the Commissions assessment to follow.
The reprogramming process is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, allowing updated implementation from 2026 onwards.
We propose five strategic priorities: Competitiveness, Defence, Affordable Housing, Water Resilience, and Energy Transition. These priorities will benefit from increased pre-financing and co-financing.
Flexibility in fund allocation and implementation is vital, and we aim to simplify the process, extending eligibility for programmes that allocate funds to strategic priorities.
This regulation does not mandate spending in specific areas but provides Member States and regions with the option to adapt programmes to regional needs.
Our focus is on creating conditions for upcoming MFF discussions, modernizing cohesion policy to reinforce competitiveness, boost resilience, and build Europes capacity for future challenges.
Thank you.