At a time when Europe faces mounting geopolitical and societal challenges, members of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions reiterated that cohesion policy and security are fundamentally interconnected pillars of European resilience. These were the main highlights shared by EPP-CoR leaders during the second debate of the External Bureau meeting on Cohesion and Resilience, held in Szczecin, Poland, and hosted by Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the West Pomerania Region.
Speakers emphasised that ensuring the safety and wellbeing of citizens requires not only investment in military capabilities, but a strong, cohesive, and inclusive development policy that secures economic, social, and territorial cohesion across all regions.
Geblewicz: Economic Security Begins at the Local Level
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the West Pomerania Region, opened the debate by recalling how his region overcame the hardships of the 1990s’ economic transition with the help of Cohesion Funds, transforming into a key provider of energy for Poland and Europe.
“West Pomerania’s story is a success story. Thanks to cohesion policy, we created jobs and became central to Poland’s energy security – 30% of national gas now comes from our LNG terminal.”
He highlighted the strategic importance of dual-purpose infrastructure, such as the Harmony Link under the Baltic Sea and regional airports that serve both civilian and military needs. “It’s not just about grand projects. The security of our regional airport, for both civil and military purposes, matters just as much.”
Geblewicz acknowledged the necessity of increased military spending, but warned that it must not come at the cost of cohesion: “We need to reconsider our own resources – such as through the carbon border adjustment mechanism, not through centralisation. Efficiency and simplification are key, but must serve beneficiaries, not EU bureaucracy.”
He called for the merging of cohesion instruments, arguing that the current fragmentation across ERDF, ESF, and CP undermines synergies and effectiveness: “Why do we have three separate cohesion funds? We should simplify and unify them under one framework to increase efficiency and clarity.”
Defending Cohesion is Defending Democracy
Marek Woźniak, President of the Wielkopolskie Region, underscored that while regional authorities are not directly responsible for defence policy, they strongly support a European approach to security. However, he expressed concern over declining political support for cohesion policy at the EU level: “Unfortunately, other political levels do not defend cohesion as we do. For us, it’s about the quality of life of our citizens – education, culture, infrastructure. If we don’t defend it, populists will win the next elections and push for policies that weaken our security.” Woźniak stressed that cohesion is not a luxury—it is the first line of defence against social fragmentation and extremism.
Arnoldas Abramavičius, Councillor of Zarasai District Municipality (Lithuania), warned of the immediate threats on the EU’s eastern border and called for greater flexibility in cohesion regulations to allow investment in civil security infrastructure, such as shelters and emergency facilities. “The threat is real on the eastern flank. Civilian facilities such as shelters must be part of our resilience architecture. EU regulations must allow this flexibility, and additional resources are crucial during this budgetary period.”
Adam Struzik, Presdident of the Mazovia Region, broadened the definition of security to include health, food, and cyber resilience, arguing that cohesion funds are a powerful tool to safeguard communities across all sectors. “Security isn’t only military. It’s about ensuring food supply, cyber protection, and health systems. In Mazovia, we equipped firefighters with EU-funded vehicles – improving both preparedness and citizens’ sense of security.”
The debate in Szczecin reaffirmed that cohesion policy must remain at the heart of the EU’s resilience strategy. Defending it is not just a matter of regional development—it is a safeguard for democracy, stability, and collective security. Local and regional authorities, as the closest level of governance to citizens, called for simplification without centralisation, investment in dual-use infrastructure, and a renewed commitment to civil protection, economic cohesion, and democratic trust. Cohesion is Europe’s shield—its weakening would threaten not only livelihoods but the very foundations of our Union.