Analytics, EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Forum

The Fifth Cohesion Forum at the end of January 2011 was the last opportunity for member states and regions to make their voices heard before the Commission presents its legislative proposals on the future cohesion policy, due out by summer 2011. During the Forum, organised every three years by the Commission, top policy-makers from the EU-27 will frmulate the Union’s Cohesion Policy for the next decade. About 800 participants are gathering at the Forum.   

From the Commission, the following top leaders are present: Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Policy, László Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion as well as José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. Besides, Viktor Orban, Prime Minister of Hungary, Donald Tusk Prime Minister of Poland (the countries holding the EU Presidency in 2011) and Andrius Kubilius, Prime Minister of Lithuania are taking part in the Forum. IP/11/112, Brussels, 31st January 2011.

Commission’s opinion

Speaking ahead of the event, Commissioner Hahn stated: "The Union, especially in these difficult economic times, needs good and targeted investment in our regions through cohesion policy. The Cohesion Forum provides a crucial opportunity for national, regional and local representatives, as well as other stakeholders, to exchange ideas on the future policy. The findings from the consultation and discussions during the forum will help us prepare an even more effective cohesion policy, better adapted to the economic situation of today and that will help us contribute to the ambitious Europe 2020 goals. "

Commissioner Andor added: "We have seen that cohesion policy can make a real difference to employment, education opportunities and inclusion. It boosts growth and competitiveness and helps social progress. But it must adapt to respond to the challenges our countries and citizens face as we emerge from the crisis. The Europe 2020 strategy is our commonly agreed recipe and cohesion policy must underpin its most important reform priorities."

The Forum takes a particular analysis of the role of the cohesion policy in delivering the Europe 2020 Strategy, which sets out the sustainable economic development blueprint for the EU for the next decade. Four thematic panels were created during the Forum, each chaired by EU Commissioners; the panels are focussing on key components of the EU 2020 Strategy: smart growth, green growth, inclusive growth, and the territorial dimension of Europe 2020.

Cohesion policy’s contribution

With the publication of the fifth cohesion report in November 2010, the Commission set out its initial ideas for further simplifying and streamlining the delivery system of cohesion policy, and improving evaluation, performance and results through more effective target-setting. The report showed that cohesion policy has made a significant contribution to growth and prosperity, with figures demonstrating how it helped to create an estimated 1,4 mln new jobs, supported some 34 million unemployed to get back to work, enhanced the skills of another 36 mln persons, funded 4 700 km of motorway and 1 200 km of high-speed rail, and provided waste water treatment for an additional 23 mln people, access to clean water for an additional 20 mln people, skills training for 10 million people per year, with a focus on vulnerable groups.

However for the future cohesion policy, the Commission has proposed to focus future funding on the key priorities in line with the Europe 2020 goals with a view to maximise its impact. All the options set out in the report will be discussed in depth during the panels.

The Commission will table formal legislative proposals on the future cohesion policy by the summer of 2011 following the adoption of proposals on the new EU budget.

Regional awards

During the forum, President Barroso presented the first 'Regions of Excellence' awards at a ceremony after the opening session. Lithuania, Wales (UK) and Brandenburg (Germany) are the winners of the top accolades and will be represented, respectively, by Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, First Minister Carwyn Jones, and Minister of Economy and European Affairs Ralf Christoffers. ‘Regions of Excellence’ recognises regions and countries that have successfully implemented policies, programmes and projects in line with the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The winners were selected as the best overall performers in the EU's annual RegioStars awards since 2008.

More information on the Fifth Cohesion Forum and the ‘Regions of Excellence’:

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/5thcohesionforum/index_en.cfm

Further information on regional policy at:

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.htm

European Social Fund:

http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/esf/index_en.htm