Cohesion policy

Cohesion policy has had a proven effect in helping the European Union's regions to develop, but it will face some new challenges in years ahead. Those are the findings in the fourth report on economic and social cohesion, adopted.by the EU Commission on 30 May 2007.

 

The report provides an update on progress made towards achieving economic and social cohesion, and on the way in which Member State and Community policies have contributed to this end.

 

It gives a first assessment of preparations for 2007-2013, based on the programming documents Member States have submitted to the Commission as of the end of April 2007. It also looks at the new challenges which will shape the context for regional development in the next 20-30 years - such as demography, climate change, social exclusion or energy.

 

In order to launch a debate inside and outside the European institutions, the Commission decided to include in the report 10 questions on these challenges. Following the publication of the new report, EU Commissioner Danuta Hübner declared: I hope to share this vision with as many of you as possible at the 4th Cohesion Forum on 27 and 28 September 2007 in Brussels.

 

More information on the fourth report on economic and social cohesion