Future cohesion policy a hot issue in the EU
Mid-October was an intense month in Brussels, with several representatives from Region Norrbotten in attendance for the European Week of Regions and Cities. The focus of many of the discussions was cohesion policy - the EU's regional policy.
Cohesion policy is an important tool for development in our county. Therefore, it is with concern that Region Norrbotten views the Commission's proposal for a new long-term budget. The proposal is aimed at increased centralization. Member States will be given increased powers to control and distribute funds, at the expense of regional and local influence.
Johannes Sundelin (S), Chairman of the Regional Development Committee, took part in a drawing by Thomas Wobben, Director of legislative work at the European Committee of the Regions, in Brussels.
"He simply states that if this proposal on cohesion policy is presented as it stands now, the Commission no longer believes in place-based decisions that are made as close to the region and people as possible," Sundelin writes on social media.
Johannes Sundelin is vice-chair of the Assembly of European Regions and participated in meetings and seminars this week. Photo: AER.
The hub of our work to ensure that EU decisions are as favourable as possible is North Sweden European Office, the office that works for the interests of the four Norrland counties. As the long-term budget now enters the negotiation phase, the office and the political network have European Forum Northern Sweden an important task.
“Means for attractive and resilient communities“
"We need to explain that a prerequisite for us to be able to deliver competitive European added value through the emerging fossil-free industry is funds for northern Sweden to be able to build attractive and resilient communities," says Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director.
In the work of defending cohesion policy, neither Norrbotten nor the four Norrland counties stand alone. The issue of a strong cohesion policy even after 2027 is being pursued, among other things, by the Cohesion Alliance, a movement consisting of representatives of cities and regions and their associations. Representatives of Region Norrbotten have participated in the Cohesion Alliance debate this week and the alliance also arranged a demonstration outside the European Parliament.
This week has included further meetings for the representatives of Region Norrbotten. Assembly of European Regions (AER), where Johannes Sundelin is vice chairman, has held a board meeting. Sundelin was also the opening speaker at an AER seminar on young people in politics.
In addition, the week has included meetings with EU parliamentarian Sofie Eriksson (S), exchanges with Finnish regional offices and much more.
Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa
