An impactful and efficient cohesion policy post-2027 will be vital to ensure Europe's future prosperity. We believe that cohesion policy should focus on its primary objective, which is to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion and to reduce regional disparities. At the same time, cohesion policy must be aligned with the EU's main priorities, most notably strengthening the EU's competitiveness and resilience.

This should encompass greater support for a just transition, rural and border regions, infrastructure, research and innovation and tackling the demographic crisis in EU regions. We are committed to making cohesion policy more simplified and flexible and reducing its administrative burden. 

To improve the effectiveness of cohesion policy, we call for better synergies between the EU, national and local and regional strategic objectives and sources of funding. Cohesion policy could be made more impactful by reinforcing links between investments and reforms and making it more performance-based while preserving its core principles of a place-based approach, multi-level governance and partnership.