Cohesion policy is the most explicit expression of EU solidarity, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said in a brief video message, addressing the 9th Cohesion Forum that wraps up Friday, in Brussels.
She said that we need the cohesion policy to build a future together and get rid of inequalities and disparities and this is the best tool to level up society and have microeconomic benefits as well.
She spoke about the challenges of climate crisis and populism in Europe and noted that we need to step up and deliver on our plans for green transition and continued investment.
In his speech Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, said that cohesion policy touches all European citizens, pointing out that as we recently bid farewell to Jacques Delors, his legacy includes the shaping of cohesion policy as we know it today.
Schmit said that we celebrate a driving force and this is the solidarity that unites us, that underpins the past, present and future. He described the forum
as and important stepping stone for the debate about the future of the cohesion policy in light of the 9th report on economic, social and territorial cohesion.
The Commissioner also noted that people on the ground know better their needs and their input is needed.
He also referred to the importance of cohesion policy for green and digital transition underlining that we need the green transition for investments and if we do not have it then investments will go somewhere else and jobs will move with them.
Commissioner Schmit also spoke of the housing crisis in Europe and the fact that millions are facing a difficulty to find an affordable place to live. He said that Europe has to take over its part as there is a strong demand for active housing policy.
In a panel discussion about the triple transition, as an anchor for competitiveness, growth and social justice Maroš Šefcovic, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight said that we faced diffe
rent crises in the past years, such as the pandemic and the dramatic energy crisis, and cohesion policy and funds were there to assist us.
He said that the funds were flexibilized, adding that we also need predictability and combination of cohesion funds in order to increase the financial power.
The second day of the 9th Cohesion Forum includes panel discussions on the cohesion policy for the future, taking into account the result and figures of the 9th report that was adopted recently.
In the evening the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2024 Award Ceremony will take place.
The New European Bauhaus initiative calls on all to imagine and build together a sustainable and inclusive future that is “beautiful for our eyes, minds, and souls”, with places, practices, and experiences that are enriching, inspired by art and culture, responding to needs beyond functionality, sustainable, in harmony with nature, the environment, and the planet and inclusive by encouraging a dialogue across cultures, disciplines, genders
and ages.
Source: Cyprus News Agency