Talks in Bucharest on the cohesion policy
Cohesion policy, a priority for the Romanian presidency of the EU Council, says Commissioner Cretu
Leyla Cheamil, 22.01.2019, 13:23
The motto “Cohesion, a shared European value reflects Romanias vision for its term in office at the helm of the EU Council. Frequently mentioned in the speeches of EU leaders, reducing the social and economic gaps between the Unions member states, regions and citizens has been one of the most important goals of the European bloc.
The cohesion policy was, in fact, one of the 2 key topics on the agenda of the first event organised in Bucharest by the national parliament as part of the Romanian semester. Ensuring true cohesion in Europe, the unity of member countries in the face of political, economic and social challenges, promoting pluralism, tolerance and solidarity, are among Romanias priorities while holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, Romanian officials emphasised. The Senate Speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu said measures to safeguard cohesion are essential for bridging the gaps between the various regions of the EU:
Calin Popescu Tariceanu: “With the EU currently facing difficult challenges, we, as members of national parliaments, are called upon to promote solidarity on the continent, to support convergence, to build and safeguard cohesion in the Union. We believe such measures are fundamental, so that the current gaps between the East and the West, and between the North and the South, do not become irreversible. The risk is that we might allow extremist and populist forces to turn these gaps into fractures that will fuel a multi-speed Europe and eventually dismantle it altogether.
In turn, the European Commissioner Corina Cretu believes the cohesion policy is about and for the citizens. In her opinion, it is the instrument that provides answers to the issues and tensions facing the European bloc, such as Brexit, migration and cross-border security. She warned that, in some cases, regional disparities have deepened, particularly in the member states in Central and Eastern Europe, and this is because there are urban regions that grow very fast, including those around the capital cities, whereas other regions develop at a slower pace.
Corina Cretu: “The cohesion policy for 2021-2027 will be closer tied to the European agenda and priorities, and will focus on key priorities such as innovation, competitiveness, employment, climate and environment challenges.
Corina Cretu added that, for the first time in the history of the European Union, the cohesion policy has been earmarked 373 billion euros, 80% of which will be channelled into the less developed regions.
(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)
