April 2, 2025

The following is a press release:

Socio-economic and territorial cohesion ensures internal security, preventing frustration and Euroscepticism that could threaten the stability of the EU, Polish's State Secretary told members of the European Committee of the Regions on 2 April in a debate about the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The CoR discussion took place at a crucial time — the ongoing debate on the future of cohesion policy and in anticipation of the Commission's forthcoming proposal on the next multiannual financial framework. Poland has made European security in all its dimensions — external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health — the priority of its six-month presidency of ministerial meetings at the EU level.

Jan Szyszko, State secretary in the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy of Poland, underscored that the socio-economic and territorial cohesion is key to achieve the EU goals, including security, resilience, competitiveness, and green and digital transitions. At the halfway point of the Presidency, the Polish representative mentioned some of the successes already achieved with reference to the Council conclusions on cohesion and cohesion policy post-2027, adopted by the General Affairs Council last week on 28 March. In the Conclusions Member States confirmed, among others: that the Cohesion Policy should remain open to all regions and continue to play a key role in reducing regional disparities in the EU, helping less developed regions to catch up with more developed ones.

CoR members including from France, Slovakia, Finland and Poland took the floor in a debate which, among other issues, highlighted the risk of cohesion funds being diverted to other pressing security needs given the global geopolitical tensions and the war in Ukraine. Members of the CoR underscored the urgency of the need to boost the EU's competitiveness, resilience, security and defence saying, though, that these efforts should not be at the expense of funds earmarked for bridging regional gaps.

Mr Szyszko stressed that there is no opposition between cohesion and competitiveness. They are complementary policies that both require investment in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Local and regional representatives warned against the temptation to design and manage future EU cohesion funds in a centralised and territorially blind way.

Members emphasised that the governance model of cohesion policy should respect the existing distribution of competences and coordination systems between the different levels of government in each Member State and the role of regional and local authorities in policy development, programming, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

The Polish Presidency has specifically asked the CoR to provide it with legislative recommendations on cohesion policy. The CoR is due to settle its proposals in May 2025, with the adoption of an opinion entitled ‘Cohesion policy as a key engine in achieving EU goals and reforms: how to further build on its performance-based approach while respecting decentralisation, partnership and multilevel governance'. The rapporteur is Isabelle Boudineau (FR/PES), Member of the Regional Council of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Quotes:

Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions: "The Polish Presidency has shown remarkable commitment and a true spirit of cooperation with the Committee of the Regions, especially when it comes to shaping the future of Cohesion Policy beyond 2027. I want to warmly thank State Secretary Jan Szyszko from the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy for joining us today and contributing so meaningfully to our Plenary session. It was an honour to represent the Committee of the Regions at the General Affairs Council's working lunch with Ministers, where we had an open and constructive exchange on Cohesion Policy. We look forward to continuing our exceptional collaboration in the upcoming months, with the Opinion requested by the Polish Presidency (Cohesion policy as a key engine in achieving EU goals and reforms) being put for adoption. Building on the Council Conclusions adopted on 25 March, we must keep working together to shape a future Cohesion Policy that is rooted in shared management and true multilevel governance —with our regions and cities at the very heart of it. Cohesion Policy is more than just a funding tool: it’s the long-term glue that holds the European Union together. In times like these, when the EU is facing both internal and external pressures, we need the leadership, innovation, and resilience of our local and regional authorities more than ever. We must not let Cohesion Policy become an ambulance fund to patch up the side effects of shifting priorities. It’s not a consolation prize for those left behind —it’s a strategic investment in Europe’s unity, future, and strength."

Jan Szyszko, State secretary, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy of Poland: "Cohesion policy and strong regions are key to increasing economic security. Through cohesion policy, we increase our resilience, accelerate our digital and energy transformation and strengthen the unity of our societies. By reducing social and economic inequalities between Europe's regions, we can strengthen the stability of the European Union and counter polarisation and social discontent. Our regions and cities are where the key changes are taking place, where the people are experiencing the challenges as well as the opportunities that shape the future of the community. Cohesion policy must respond to their real needs, strengthen the potential of communities and provide them with the tools for sustainable development. As [European Commission] President von der Leyen said, we need a strengthened cohesion and growth policy with regions at the centre. The need to include national, regional and local authorities has been also underlined in the Communication on the Road to the next MFF."

Background information:

The debate can be watched on the CoR website.

In the framework of an informal ministerial meeting in Warsaw in May, which will take place in parallel with a meeting of OECD ministers responsible for regional policy, the Committee of the Regions will have the opportunity to present the CoR's views on the results-based approach to cohesion policy.

During the Polish Presidency, the CoR will present its political recommendations from a local and regional perspective at a range of informal Council meetings and key high-level Presidency events. Find the Presidency calendar here.

As of 1 January, and during the first half of 2025, Poland holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Polish Presidency is the first of the current presidency trio, which includes Denmark (2nd semester of 2025) and Cyprus (1st semester 2026). This is the second time Poland holds the presidency of the Council, the first time being in the 2nd semester of 2011.

Contact:

Wioletta Wojewodzka

+32 473 84 39 86

Wioletta.wojewodzka@cor.europa.eu

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The European Committee of the Regions

The European Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives from all 27 Member States. Created in 1994 following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, its mission is to involve regional and local authorities in the EU's decision-making process and to inform them about EU policies. The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission consult the Committee in policy areas affecting regions and cities. To sit on the European Committee of the Regions, all of its 329 members and 329 alternates must either hold an electoral mandate or be politically accountable to an elected assembly in their home regions and cities. Click here for more details on your national delegation.