Cohesion Policy is the main European investment instrument aimed at strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion within the European Union. Michael Schneider (EPP/DE) and Catiusca Marini (PES/IT) have been appointed co-rapporteurs for the draft report on the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR), the legal framework for the Cohesion Policy for the years 2021-2027.
Their draft report was unanimously adopted at the COTER commission meeting on 24 October, giving the CoR a strong voice in view of the upcoming negotiations at the European level.
The co-rapporteurs insist on a swift and timely agreement on the CPR for the years 2021-2027, which should continue to be based on the principles of partnership and multilevel governance. They call for further simplification, for example by reducing administrative burden stemming from state aid regulations. Cohesion Policy should remain available for all regions in the European Union, but there is a need for higher co-financing rates for all three categories of regions as initially proposed by the European Commission, the co-rapporteurs believe.
They call for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to be reintroduced into the CPR as well as European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to remain anchored within Cohesion Policy.
- 1st First discussion in COTER on 25 September 2018
- 1st discussion and adoption in COTER on 24 October 2018
- Final adoption in Plenary session of December 2018.