(02 February 2018) – The Italian government wants co-funded resources of the EU’s cohesion policy to remain managed by the regions. Rome wants the policy to remain unchanged under the new budget after 2020.
Rome’s position on the future of cohesion policy – one of the largest envelopes in the EU budget with €350 billion – was discussed at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in Brussels on Tuesday (30 January).
Claudio De Vincenti, the minister for territorial cohesion and southern Italy, pointed out that “regions must be able to have a say and be heard. The agreements already exist and they are performing well. There is no need for changes, just monitoring.”
While some EU officials have hinted at the possibility of reducing cohesion funds after 2020, the Italian government thinks that funding should remain intact and that all contributions must be re-agreed among the member states after Brexit. (EurActiv)