Tomislav Donchev: Cohesion Policy needs visionaries, not conformism

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev called for an intelligent design of the measures regarding the upcoming Cohesion Policy. In order to be successful, we need to set up "smart" strategic planning and "smart" implementation and control systems, he stated at the meeting of the EU-28 Directors-General responsible for Cohesion Policy in Sofia on Wednesday.

“I am a witness to the way in which Bulgaria has changed over the past ten years. To a large extend, this change was due to investments supported by the European funds. Every Presidency should seek compromises and a convergence of the positions of different Member States. The Bulgarian Presidency has the opportunity to foster the debate on a more simplified and efficient Cohesion Policy”, said Deputy Prime Minister Donchev.

On behalf of the European Commission, the Director General of the DG Regional and Urban Policy, Mark Lemaitre commented: “Now is the right time to mobilise and to commit to Cohesion Policy. Before we have the proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework post-2020, such a discussion is a very useful and timely exercise. The European Commission will follow closely the outcomes of the event and will take into consideration the proposals made by the Member States.”

During the meeting the link between Cohesion Policy and economic governance and the European Semester was discussed, as well as the options for acceleration of the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds. Nearly 70 delegates from all 28 Member States, the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions, European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) participated in the event. The outcomes of the meeting will feed into the debate on the future Cohesion Policy during the General Affairs Council on 12 April 2018 in Luxembourg.