Hübner: 'A united Europe in diversity through cohesion policy'

Danuta Hübner chairs the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) at the European Parliament. Professor of Economics and former commissioner in charge of Regional Policy, Hübner has been participating in different CPMR events for numerous years and believes that the CPMR “know-how and the force of CPMR ideas are important assets” for the CPMR and for those who work with it.

CPMR: Prof. Hübner, what is the biggest challenge for Cohesion Policy today?

DH: The biggest challenge for this policy is how to better reach its fundamental objective:  strengthening of the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion while investing in growth, jobs and competitiveness in line with EU 2020 strategy. This is the question we raise especially today, when overwhelmed by the immediate consequences of the current crisis, we might forget what the Cohesion Policy ultimately should do: to anticipate change and not to follow it. The change is towards what the Europe 2020 strategy has already defined, towards a more economically integrated and sustainable Union, and towards a more competitive EU at global scale. It is in the framework of the objectives of Europe 2020 where the main public investment policy of the Union needs to be placed, contributing in the most effective and efficient way to the sustainable and inclusive growth of the regions of Europe.

If we tackle the challenges looking through the lens of our own national interests, we risk losing the added value that an EU Cohesion Policy can bring. Therefore, we should build synergies at European level, when focusing on new engines for growth, sustainable jobs, innovation and research, resource efficiency, and infrastructure. Cohesion Policy is also the major source of European public investment for these purposes. Effectively implementing the multilevel governance on economic and cohesion issues is a challenge we must triumph over.

CPMR: How do you assess the role of the European Parliament in maintaining an ambitious Cohesion Policy in Europe?

DH: Following the entering into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, Cohesion Policy legislation is entirely subject to the ordinary legislative procedure. This has meant endless hours of negotiations on the different parts of the regulatory framework for the 2014 – 2020 Cohesion Policy, specially on the Common Provisions regulation, arguably one of the biggest pieces of legislation the Parliament has been confronted with this legislature. We should not forget that there are 325 billions Euro behind this legislation.

The Parliament has been playing a crucial role in the negotiations, throughout its vision of a multi-level and integrated Cohesion Policy. It has also sought to improve the strategic orientation and coordination between instruments within Cohesion Policy, as well as between Cohesion Policy and other EU policies. The Parliament, steered by the Committee on Regional Development, has improved the future Cohesion Policy legislation, through the streamlining and simplification of the applicable rules and procedures.

In the negotiations related both to the legislative package and to the MFF, the Parliament has been a defender of a more efficient Cohesion Policy, tailored to answer to various challenges the Union is facing.

CPMR: In the course of the negotiations for the 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy package, the coordination between the European Parliament and the regions was particularly fruitful. To what extent do you think that the European Parliament should continue to work closer with regional organisations, particularly with the CPMR, over the next ten years?

During the negotiations and even before these started, the Parliament has collaborated with the widest possible array of actors, including those which are active at regional and local level. The Parliament considers that Cohesion Policy cannot be designed and implemented without the active involvement of all partners, as indeed the highest importance is given to the partnership arrangements.

The Parliament has sought to create safeguards in the future policy architecture so as to ensure full compliance of partnership in all stages of policy preparation and implementation. This implies the setting-up of a clear and binding framework, which strengthens the role given to partners, including regional organisations like CPMR. Cooperation with them will continue, because the Parliament also takes into consideration the needs of regional and local actors, while maintaining the common objectives agreed at the European level.

CPMR: This year is the 40^th anniversary of the creation of the CPMR. In your opinion, what has been our organisation’s best asset since 1973?

I have known the CPMR for numerous years. And I also know that the Cohesion Policy is at the heart and in the mind of many of CPMR representatives, being reflected in numerous activities of your organisation.

The know-how you have built and regularly shared with the Parliament and all actors interested in European Cohesion Policy, the knowledge and experience platforms you have created, and thus the force of your ideas as well as the network of your members are important assets for the CPMR, and for those who work with you.

The celebration of the 40th anniversary of the CPMR gives me the opportunity to wish you success in contributing also to the building of a united Europe in diversity through Cohesion Policy.

Happy Birthday, Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe!

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