Reinforcing European cohesion

Together with EU Commissioner Elisa Ferreira and a panel of policy-making experts, the discussion elaborated on the added value and performance of the Cohesion Policy and tried to anticipate some of the difficult debates on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). 

Ahead of the upcoming European elections and after the recent launch of the European Commission’s report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion, this event reflected on the plans of the current Commission to bolster social and territorial cohesion in the EU and on the main lines of action to build a stronger and more effective EU budget. The gathering was useful to outline some of the key elements that will be brought forward to the next European legislature. 

European policies and budgetary instruments have been put to the test by the recent crises. This is particularly true for the Cohesion Policy, which serves the purpose of fostering economic and social development in all regions of the EU but is also often asked to help endure shocks. These objectives, however, cannot be attained properly without updating instruments and means. 

Among our speakers are:

• Elisa FERREIRA, EU Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms
• Rovana PLUMB, MEP and Vice-President, S&D Group
• Eleni MARIANOU, Secretary General, Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR)
• Vasco Alves CORDEIRO, President, European Committee of the Regions (online)
• Camilla LAURETI, MEP, S&D Group
• Riccardo CRESCENZI, Professor of Economic Geography, London School of Economics
• László ANDOR, Secretary General, FEPS
• David RINALDI, Director of Studies & Policy, FEPS

The event was public and livestreamed.

For more information regarding this event, please do not hesitate to contact Vanessa Zwisele, FEPS Project Officer (vanessa.zwisele@feps-europe.eu).