The new Cohesion Policy that will be drawn up for the years 2027 onwards must have a mechanism to analyze the way in which any directive, regulation, new policy affects particular regions and small Member States such as Malta. This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Funds, Consumer Protection and Social Dialogue Chris Fearne during a meeting of the European Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy in Mons, in Belgium.
“Malta would like to see more sensitivity to the different needs of the European Regions, if we want to ensure that the Cohesion Policy of the European Union does not put particular States at a disadvantage or cause more harm, albeit unintentional, than good,” he said Chris Fearne who brought several practical examples of how Malta, and other small states, find it difficult to implement measures designed for large countries. Therefore he called for a stronger Regional Impact Assessment in every decision taken by the Union.
During this meeting, the Ministers and European representatives talked about the strategic vision and the main priorities on which the next Cohesion Policy should be drawn up and also ways in which the implementation of this Policy should simplify itself and become more flexible and accessible to Member States. This discussion also took place before the publication of the ninth Cohesion Report of the European Union.
Photo: MESC
