Brussels – The future of EU Cohesion Policy took center stage at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) plenary session as Roberto Pella, Mayor of Valdengo, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy and EPP-CoR member, engaged in a high-level debate with European Commissioner Raffaele Fitto. The discussion, held in Brussels, brought together regional leaders to assess how EU cohesion funds can drive economic development and territorial balance in the context of the new EU budget.
Commissioner Fitto underlined the importance of ensuring that territorial voices are heard, recognizing the crucial role of local and regional authorities in shaping EU policy from the bottom up. He also emphasized the value of CoR opinions in influencing European decision-making.
Welcoming Fitto’s remarks, Pella stressed that these commitments were not just words but reflected Fitto’s own track record, including his tenure as an Italian minister, where he delivered concrete results for regions and local communities.
During the debate, Pella highlighted several key priorities for the future of cohesion policy, including:
• Strengthening Synergies between EU and national instruments to maximize their impact on regional development.
• Ensuring Continuity in the National Recovery and Resilience Plans to support long-term investments and reforms.
• Addressing Water Resources Challenges, particularly in light of increasing droughts and water loss, by investing in infrastructure and sustainable water management solutions.
• Defending the Right to Stay in One’s Community, ensuring that people can continue to live and thrive in their towns and regions without being forced to leave due to economic hardship or lack of opportunities.
Pella thanked Commissioner Fitto for his commitment and expressed confidence in his ability to address these challenges at the European level. “We count on Commissioner Fitto to ensure that cohesion policy remains a strong and effective tool to support our regions and citizens,” he concluded.