Future of EU finances – Commissioner Oettinger at the Conference on Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 in Sofia

Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger, in charge of Budget and Human Resources, is participating to the Conference on Cohesion Policy beyond 2020, “Perspectives for Convergence and Sustainable Regions”, organised by the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council.

Decision-makers and key cohesion stakeholders from across Europe will meet in the Bulgarian capital to share their visions of the future of the policy, following the Commission’s proposal for Regional Development and Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 presented on 29 May. Commissioner Oettinger will deliver a speech on challenges and opportunities for the new EU budget and Cohesion Policy after 2020. “The Commission’s proposal for the next Cohesion Policy is both rational and ambitious,” said Commissioner Oettinger, “Rational, because the cost of non-cohesion between EU regions and Member States will be far greater than the effort of solidarity we ask for. And ambitious, because a strong Cohesion Policy with an investment power of €373 billion can help reach EU-wide goals of growth, jobs and innovation in every corner of Europe.” In Sofia, Commissioner Oettinger met Pedro Marques, Minister of Planning and Infrastructures of Portugal, Jerzy Kwieciński, Minister of Investment and Economic Development of Poland, Gabrijela Žalac, Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds of the Republic of Croatia and László Palkovics Minister for Innovation and Technology of Hungary.