Speaking at the European Cross-Border Platform (ECBP) Annual Meeting in Brussels, Pablo Hurtado Pardo, Director General for External Action of the Regional Government of Extremadura and member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), stressed the importance of preserving a strong and visible role for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Interreg in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). During the panel debate "Interreg beyond 2027", Hurtado underlined that the ongoing negotiations offer a key opportunity to strengthen territorial cooperation and ensure that border regions continue to benefit from dedicated European support.
"Following the adoption of our opinion at the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions, we have an excellent opportunity to influence the European Parliament's report and thereby ensure greater visibility for the ERDF as a fund that needs its own identity and budget within the next Multiannual Financial Framework, while also improving the provisions relating to Interreg," said Hurtado. He also highlighted that the forthcoming European Parliament report on the ERDF, the Cohesion Fund and Interreg will be an important opportunity to promote the European Committee of the Regions' recommendations and strengthen the future of territorial cooperation.
Referring to discussions within the Council, Hurtado noted that negotiations on the future architecture of cohesion policy are closely linked to the broader MFF talks and the proposed national and regional partnership plans. He welcomed signs that Member States are taking on board several messages championed by the European Committee of the Regions, including continued support for smart specialisation and territorial innovation through the ERDF. He also pointed to growing support for ensuring that the most important Interreg provisions remain enshrined in the regulation itself rather than being left to future implementing acts, as well as positive signals regarding the reintroduction of a dedicated fund for small projects.
The points raised by Pablo Hurtado reflect the recommendations adopted by the European Committee of the Regions in its opinion on the European Regional Development Fund, European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund, drafted by María Guardiola Martín, President of the Regional Government of Extremadura and rapporteur of the opinion. Adopted by the CoR plenary on 6 May 2026, the opinion calls for maintaining a strong place-based cohesion policy, preserving a dedicated budget and identity for the ERDF, reinforcing Interreg as a cornerstone of European integration, and ensuring that border regions remain at the heart of the European project.