EU Cohesion Policy's future discussed in Zaragoza

The EU's Cohesion Policy and its future is the focal point of the discussions by representatives of the EU-27, who have been invited by Spain's Secretary of State for the Treasury and Budgets, Carlos Ocaña, to attend the Informal Meeting of Regional Policy Ministers this Friday in Zaragoza. Johannes Hahn, the new European Commissioner for Regional Policy, will also take part.

Following the opening of the informal meeting by Carlos Ocaña, the participants will discuss the strategy, priorities and objectives of the EU's future Cohesion Policy within the context of the 2020 Strategy.

At this point, the Commission will present a report on the work done by the High-level Group Reflecting on Future Cohesion Policy, which will be then be discussed by the Member States.

Another of the issues on the meeting's agenda will focus on economic efficiency and simplification in situations of crisis, with a presentation by the European Parliament followed by discussion.

The meeting will conclude with discussions on the strategy, priorities and objectives of the EU's future Cohesion Policy, and how to integrate the principle of territorial cohesion into this policy.

Aside from the EU representatives, candidate countries will also take part in this meeting, along with the Committee of the Regions, high representatives from the European Investment Bank, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Investment Fund and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.