Press Release: European Commission sets out options on future cohesion policy

The Commission's 5th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion shows that the EU's cohesion policy has made a significant contribution to growth and prosperity and promoting balanced development across the Union. Nevertheless, in view of the substantial economic and social developments over recent years, the policy now has to address new challenges. In the wider context of the EU budget review, the report underlines that future cohesion policy investments must be closely aligned to the objectives of Europe 2020. It also proposes introducing much stricter conditions as well as incentives to ensure the effective use of the funds dedicated to cohesion policy and an increased focus on results.

European Commission: Speech/10/641: László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, "The European Social Fund and the Future of Cohesion Policy Speaking points", Press conference of Commissioners Johannes Hahn and László Andor on the 5th Cohesion Report, Brussels, 10 November 2010 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/10/641&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Speech/10/640: Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Policy, "The Future of Cohesion Policy Speaking points", Press Conference on the 5th Cohesion Report, Brussels, 10th November 2010 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/10/640&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

---