The European Union’s Cohesion Policy is a powerful and fundamental tool for combating regional disparities. Through our regional investment strategy, we want to strengthen economic, social and regional cohesion across Europe.

Our commitment has already been reflected in creating a network of European democratic mayors. And, thanks to the “EU Councillors” network that our Renew Europe group supports within the Committee of the Regions, we will continue to mobilise our efforts to bring Europe closer to its citizens.

To speed up this cohesion policy, we will be focusing on three key objectives:

• Remove obstacles to cross-border cooperation

• Reduce regional disparities

• Promote harmonious economic growth

Today, 150 million cross-border citizens reside within the European Union’s borders and face daily bureaucratic obstacles that limit their ability to take full advantage of the EU’s opportunities for development and cooperation. We will therefore fully support the BRIDGE-EU (Border Regency Initiative for Development and Growth in Europe) programme.

With this in mind, our approach will consist of supporting tangible regional initiatives to combat climate change and preserve our environment. We will provide local councillors with the means to create user-friendly spaces in cities and villages. Our approach will include, for example, promoting pedestrian areas, increasing bicycle sharing and developing cycle paths to bring communities closer together.

Expanding and improving public transport networks in urban, rural and outermost areas will also be essential. We will work to improve intermodality to facilitate cross-border travel. By developing efficient and well-connected transport infrastructure, we will simplify citizens’ journeys and promote economic integration. This approach will facilitate exchanges, strengthen trade relations and support tourism development.

The Committee of the Regions needs the necessary resources to develop from a simple advisory body to a communicative player. We want it to become capable of assessing the regional impact of European legislation on the regions and supporting EU legislators in applying the “do no harm to EU cohesion” principle.

Our commitment will also include simplifying the EU funding process by reducing bureaucracy to enable regional and local authorities to quickly implement sustainable projects such as digital infrastructure, public spaces and economic development initiatives.