23
Oct
2024
Watch
The important role of cities and regions in the EU – for a green, social and prosperous local development (debate)
Mr President, we are not opposed to a far-reaching reform of cohesion policy. But I say it bluntly: Cohesion policy is a regional policy. Thus refocusing, renationalising European cohesion funds would be a profound mistake. In front of our European Parliament, President von der Leyen made a commitment, she even made a double commitment: firstly for a stronger cohesion policy, then for a cohesion policy that puts the regions at the centre – and I have no doubt that this commitment made in plenary will be honoured. This means, for us, maintaining regional programmes negotiated directly between the European Commission and the regional authorities and implemented by the regions. Refocusing would be, Mr President, with the rise of far-right parties all over Europe, a huge risk for democracy, a huge risk for Europe. As you know, the regions of Europe are the heart and breath of European democracy.