Press Release: Investment for lasting growth and jobs: development and good governance in the spotlight at the Sixth Cohesion Forum

Preview and reports: high-level Sixth Cohesion Forum debates set to take place in Brussels on 8-9 September 2014.

Cohesion Policy is the main investment instrument of the EU aimed at reducing economic and social disparities across European regions, boosting their competiveness and achieving the wider Europe 2020 goals. With a total budget of around €352 billion for the 2014–2020 financial period, Cohesion Policy plays a vital role in key areas for sustainable, long-term growth such as innovation, support to SMEs, improving people's qualifications, social inclusion and energy.

Another key issue of the event: the need for good governance – both in terms of more efficient and transparent administrations and of sound macro‑economic policies.

ESO: Background Information: Cohesion Policy 2014 - 2020. Investing in growth and jobs http://www.europeansources.info/record/cohesion-policy-2014-2020-investing-in-growth-and-jobs/

European Commission: RAPID: Speech, SPEECH/14/587: Closing speech: Cohesion Policy’s contribution to common European goals http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-587_en.htm

European Council: SPEECH: PRES/14/464: Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council: Closing speech for the Sixth Cohesion Forum http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/144860.pdf

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