The ECR Group in the CoR hosted its annual workshop in the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) with this year’s edition dedicated to "Reinforcing Cross-Border Cooperation in an Evolving Cohesion Policy Landscape". The event was opened by the ECR 1st Vice-President, Władysław Ortyl. The panel was composed of ECR members Pavel Branda (President of the European Cross-border Platform) and Matteo Bianchi (CoR rapporteur on the EU-Switzerland relations), as well as Kristoffer Storm, ECR Group MEP, Nikoletta Horváth, Head of Department responsible for Managing Interreg Programmes, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary, and Simona Pohlová Deputy Head of Unit for Interreg, Cross-border Cooperation, Internal Borders, DG REGIO, European Commission.

In his opening remarks, Mr Ortyl referred to Podkarpackie’s experience with Ukraine, that demonstrated a clear need for closer cross-border cooperation on security and civil-defence preparedness — including joint initiatives to counter unmanned aerial threats and to strengthen air surveillance, early warning, and the protection of critical infrastructure". Mr Ortyl, President of the Podkarpackie Region, added that "the challenges we are facing are massive, and awareness of this is growing among EU leaders. However, we must continue to call for this to be reflected in the outcome of the MFF negotiations”.

Cross-border cooperation remains a cornerstone of the EU’s cohesion efforts as the policy adapts to new priorities in a complex environment. The mid-term review highlights the need for flexible, place-based approaches that deliver benefits across borders. Programmes such as Interreg support joint development, while cooperation with non-EU neighbours, including Switzerland, is gaining momentum. 

ECR members Pavel Branda and Matteo Bianchi underlined the importance of strengthening ties among cross-border regions through coordinated investments, shared services and governance, often within macro-regional strategies. An aspect that is vital for ensuring border regions contribute fully to EU cohesion.

ECR Group MEP Kristoffer Storm underlined how, when it comes to cross-border cooperation "It's crucial to ensure that the money is spent on projects that really matter". He also underlined how this is not always the case: "many current projects are not meeting the actual needs of communities and this often leads to wasted resources on initiatives that don't make a real difference and some of these are just a lot of 'green nonsense'".