Sari Rautio, EPP-CoR President and CoR Rapporteur on the MFF has co-signed a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressing deep concern over reported plans to dismantle the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO).
The letter underlines that Cohesion Policy is “far more than a political instrument” and describes it as “the foundation that keeps Europe connected to its cities, regions, and citizens.”
It stresses that local and regional authorities need “a strong and recognisable partner within the European Commission” to ensure that the territorial dimension remains central to EU decision-making.
The signatories warn that weakening DG REGIO would undermine “the vital link between the European Union and the communities people live in and care about every day.”
The letter also emphasises that the territorial and regional assessment and implementation of future EU funds “cannot be reduced to a purely administrative or centralised exercise.” According to the signatories, legislation, programmes, and investment priorities must continue to be evaluated “through a territorial lens, reflecting the diverse realities and needs of Europe’s regions.”
Rautio stressed "Europe’s strength lies in its regions, its cities, and its people. We must keep cohesion at the heart of the European project.”