Regional ‘cohesion’ Green Paper draws first reactions

A Green Paper on territorial cohesion, presented last week by EU Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner, succeeded in triggering debate on how to balance territorial, economic and social development.

Most criticism centred on the absence of a clear definition of what ‘territorial cohesion’ actually means. 

Commissioner Hübner’s vision of territorial cohesion “is about how we best turn our territorial diversity into strength through a flexible and differentiated policy that delivers long-term results,” she explained. 

The concept of ‘territorial cohesion’ was first introduced in the European Commission’s Third Cohesion Report (2004), in which it was profusely described. 

However, a clear definition is missing from the Green Paper itself. The Commission actually wants to develop such a vision together with stakeholders, who will be able to give their views through an online public consultation open until 28 February 2009. 

This approach was criticised by some organisations, including the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR). “If we want to foster cohesion in the European Union, we should first agree on what territorial cohesion means,” argued Boris Tonhauser, a policy officer on cohesion policy. 

The most positive reaction came from the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), whose secretary general, Xavier Gizard, emphasised that “some years ago a Green Paper on territorial cohesion was unimaginable”.

The ongoing debate will also seek to identify how to enhance cross-border cooperation between neighbouring regions, especially in environmental matters. 

MEP Lambert van Nistelrooij (EPP-ED, NL), Parliament’s rapporteur on the Green Paper, echoed the Commission’s objectives, saying that regional development policy “must target new social challenges such as climate policy, energy independence and the demographic evolution”. 

“In practical terms, this will mean EU support for regional projects with an additional European dimension, but also help for less developed regions in matters such as innovation and competitiveness,” he explained. But Van Nistelrooij is opposed to the creation of new EU budget lines. Instead, he supports more rational use of existing EU, national and local funding. 

Territorial cohesion and regional development will also be under the spotlight at two French EU Presidency events in Paris (30-31 October) and Marseille (25-26 November). 

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