Cohesion Policy post-2020 should remain an EU investment policy covering all Member States and EU regions – calls the most important document adopted today at the EPP Congress in Malta. It further underlines that the share of Cohesion Policy in the total EU budget should be maintained in the future.

President of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions and rapporteur on the Future of Cohesion Policy beyond 2020, Michael Schneider has warmly welcomed this strong statement of the most influential political family in the EU:

“Cohesion Policy is an essential component of the EU Treaties and a pillar of European integration process. A strong and effective Cohesion Policy is vital for a strong and effective European Union. Commitment of the EPP leaders, our political family to maintain the share of Cohesion Policy in the total EU budget is an important sign of solidarity and hope for many European regions and cities.”

EPP-CoR President also hailed document’s call to the EU institutions to systematically reach out to regional and municipal authorities, which on the whole enjoy greater trust from citizens. Having the European Committee of the Regions recognised in the document as their representative provides our assembly with stronger means amplify the voice of the grassroots in Brussels.

President Schneider and the EPP-CoR Group are keen to actively participate in the EPP Working Group on the Future Cohesion Policy established at the EPP Congress in Malta as a platform to shape the EU’s plans the policy to which one third of the EU’s budget is devoted.