Following the trilogue agreement on the mid-term review of EU cohesion policy - chaired by Francesco Ventola, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Regional Development, the European Conservatives and Reformists welcomed the revised framework as a necessary response to changing economic and geopolitical conditions.

However, the Group underlined that the real test will be in implementation.

“Cohesion policy must once again become a genuine driver of development,” said Denis Nesci MEP, ECR shadow rapporteur. “With this agreement, Member States will finally have greater flexibility to respond to the real needs of their territories, whether that be strengthening competitiveness or investing in water infrastructure.”

The revision proposed by European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto updates the cohesion rules agreed between 2019 and 2021, prior to the onset of major economic shocks and geopolitical instability. The changes include, among other things, a voluntary option for Member States to reprogramme funds to reflect current priorities.

“This is not about rewriting the fundamentals of cohesion policy, but about equipping it with the tools it needs to remain relevant,” said Nesci. “We have fought to ensure that regional authorities are empowered to act, not paralysed.”

While the formal vote will take place in September, the agreement reached with the Council Presidency and the European Commission marks a political milestone.

“Some groups questioned the urgency of this revision,” Nesci added. “But the reality is that regions cannot afford to wait. With this agreement, we are giving them the possibility – not the obligation – to adapt their programmes swiftly and with legal certainty.”