Brussels, Belgium. Finance Minister Makis Keravnos on Thursday chaired the first General Affairs Council on Cohesion Policy under the Cyprus EU Presidency, stressing the policy’s central role in strengthening competitiveness and economic resilience across the bloc.
Significance for Cyprus Presidency
Speaking upon his arrival in Brussels, Keravnos described the meeting as particularly significant for Cyprus’ six-month term at the helm of the Council. He said it was the first meeting on Cohesion Policy since Cyprus took over the Presidency and noted that the motto of the Cyprus Presidency is “an autonomous Union, open to the world”.
Link to strategic autonomy
Keravnos said strategic autonomy “goes through competitiveness and economic resilience,” adding that cohesion policy is directly linked to strengthening competitiveness and economic resilience. He said this demonstrates the importance of cohesion policy in the European agenda.
Agenda items: cities and mid-term review
Keravnos said discussions would focus on two items: the adoption of Council conclusions on cities and the mid-term review of cohesion policy for the 2021-2027 period.
Citing diplomatic sources, the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported that ministers are expected to examine the future direction of European policy for cities and functional urban areas, particularly their role in economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as in social inclusion, competitiveness and innovation.
The Council will also review findings from the mid-term evaluation of cohesion policy for the 2021-2027 programming period, with emphasis on designing stronger incentives and greater flexibility for the next cycle.
Which of the two agenda items, the Council conclusions on cities or the 2021-2027 mid-term review, do you want to follow most closely?