Strengthening competitiveness, managing migration, and tackling demography are the three pillars on which European cohesion policy should focus after 2027, alongside the extension of the Recovery and Resilience Fund to finance the green and digital transition.
Kostis Hatzidakis, the Minister of Economy and Finance, made this point while speaking at the special event "NSRF 2014-2020: A Strong Development Footprint for All," which the General Secretariat for Public Investment and NSRF organized.
Hatzidakis presented the Greek positions in view of the negotiations that will start in spring 2025 for the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 and the Cohesion Policy after 2027, noting that in an era of repeated crises, the strengthening of European cohesion policy is vital for Europe. He said this could be achieved in the following ways:
Through the expansion of the Recovery and Resilience Fund. "The Recovery Fund is instrumental in protecting the well-being of European citizens in difficult years. So I see no reason to give up an effective tool. All the more so as its actions are focused on the issues of green and digital transition, which will obviously continue to be key priorities for the EU in the years to come," Mr. Hatzidakis said.
PRIORITIES
Through the Cohesion Policy, which should place greater emphasis on the following three issues:
First, competitiveness. "Firstly, competitiveness. Europe cannot be content with the role of a tourist resort. The key word for Greece and Europe is, therefore, competitiveness. The EU's cohesion policy can also contribute to this objective through resources for education, training, and retraining. I mean real education and training. That means certification, audits, the so-called payments by results, and all policies that we promoted during my term of office at the Ministry of Labour," the Minister noted.
Second, immigration. "Despite the successive migratory flows that Europe has received in recent years, only 2.1% of the current multiannual financial framework has been allocated to the management of migration. It is necessary to increase the amount of money allocated for this purpose. We cannot talk about a common immigration policy without the necessary resources being made available," he said.
Thirdly, there is the demographic issue, which is an existential risk for the insurance systems and the economy of every country in Europe. "It is therefore one of the areas to which the future cohesion policy of the European Union must give priority. With actions to help families have more children. Not just with benefits. But also with actions such as making it easier for working mothers and working parents in general, parental leave, flexibility at work, and all-day school," he stressed.
He also welcomed the full absorption of funds for the 2014–2020 period. "The entire budget of 23.5 billion euros was used, of which 5.3 billion euros went to the country's regions. While over €10 billion was allocated to address the health crisis,. Every euro invested was a gain for sustainable development, for jobs, for our socially vulnerable citizens," he stressed.
"Now, he added, we are facing the great challenge of the NSRF 2021-2027, for which Greece was the first country to be approved. With more than $26 billion for a multitude of actions and priorities for regional development,. As we had committed, the regions have one-third of the resources of the new NSRF." He said that the investments funded by the current NSRF combined with the Recovery Fund could change the face of Greece, as it is a package that more than doubles the Marshall Plan and represents the largest per capita aid in the EU.
"The European Cohesion Policy is a cornerstone of European integration. Looking to the future, there is no doubt that it needs to be adapted to the needs of the times. And it will do this if it is ambitious, if it does more, if it is given more resources," concluded Mr. Hatzidakis.
