Investments and European Projects Minister Dragos Pislaru highlighted on Friday the need for a unified and ambitious approach to the future of cohesion policy in his closing remarks at the high-level conference 'Cohesion 2027+: a driver of long-term development, inclusive economic competitiveness and resilience across Europe,' organised by the Ministry of Investments and European Projects (MIPE) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
'We have shown today that Europe has the energy and the will to build a Cohesion Policy tailored to the challenges of a decade marked by profound transformations. Romania is advocating for cohesion that not only reduces disparities but generates economic value, innovation and resilience in all regions of the Union. The future European budget must offer member states both predictability and flexibility, and the Bucharest conference clearly shows that there is consensus on this direction. This is a moment when Europe can prove that solidarity and competitiveness are not opposites but complementary. Romania is ready to be one of the firm voices in this respect,' Dragos Pislaru is quoted in a MIPE release as saying, agerpres reports.
The conclusions of the conference highlighted broad consensus on the need for a strong Cohesion Policy focused on results and adapted to the Union's new economic, social and geopolitical realities. Participants underlined that, in the context of the future Multiannual Financial Framework, cohesion must remain the foundation of European solidarity as well as an instrument capable of stimulating competitiveness, innovation capacity and the transition to a green and digital economy. It was clearly stated that the future 'Single Fund' and the new Partnership Plans must be designed in such a way as to integrate, without diluting, the territorial dimension of the policy, respect the principle of subsidiarity and provide member states with the stability needed to implement long-term investments.
European and national officials also agreed that simplifying procedures and increasing proportionality are essential conditions for improving efficiency, while visible and measurable results at local level are key to restoring citizens' trust in the added value of European investments. In addition, the conference confirmed that cohesion policy must retain its unique capacity to link competitiveness objectives with convergence objectives in a context marked by the need to strengthen resilience, security and preparedness for an enlarged Union. At the same time, cohesion policy must remain open for regions and towards regions. The partnership principle and multilevel governance must be reinforced in the next period to respond appropriately to the needs of each level of intervention.
Through the debates held, the event in Bucharest created the necessary framework for a substantial contribution from member states ahead of the decisive rounds of negotiations on the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. Romania thus reaffirmed its active and constructive role in shaping the future of the policy that remains the Union's main pillar of long-term investment.
The 'Cohesion 2027+' conference follows on from the initiatives launched by Romania in 2024 within the 'Friends of Cohesion' Group, through which member states have promoted common positions to strengthen a modern, efficient Cohesion Policy capable of reducing regional disparities while supporting the Union's competitiveness and resilience.
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