Common voice of EU ministers for cohesion policy, territorial cohesion and urban policy
21.05.2025
Economic, social and territorial cohesion is one of the EU's key priorities. To be effective, the coordination of European Union policies should take into account the territorial dimension. Cohesion policy should remain open to all regions to make full use of their potential and strengths. These are just some of the provisions of the Joint Declaration. The document was approved by EU ministers for cohesion policy, territorial affairs and urban policy at the informal meeting in Warsaw. Poland was represented by the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz and the Deputy Minister, Jan Szyszko.
This is a key moment for the future of the EU. The coming months will determine the shape of future EU policies. Regions and cities must not only be their implementers, but also their co-creators. We also need tailor-made forms of support for them - Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz said.
Joint Declaration
At today's meeting, EU ministers approved the Joint Declaration on the importance of the territorial dimension and the sustainable development of cities and regions. The document emphasises the importance of, among others, the territorial approach, regional and urban policies and draws attention to the need to develop the European territorial vision. The head of the MDFRP spoke about aspects of the joint declaration at a press conference.
There can be no European Union development policy without a cohesion policy built by the individual regions themselves - Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz stressed.
Another important issue raised in the declaration is affordable housing.
The housing policy oriented to accessible housing is today becoming an EU-wide challenge, but also a solution to counteract depopulation and inequalities between regions - K. Pełczyńska-Nałęcz indicated.
The next important provision of the declaration indicates that certain territories across the EU, even if they are not backward, need development support. This includes those regions most affected by the Russian aggression war against Ukraine, especially those bordering Russia and Belarus and those bordering Ukraine.
The meeting of EU Ministers for Cohesion Policy, Territorial Cohesion and Urban Policy took place on 21 May 2025 as part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU. This meeting was preceded by the OECD Ministerial Meeting on 20 May 2025 which addressed the role of regional policy in building competitiveness, enhancing resilience, cohesion and prosperity using the regions' potentials.
Development that builds the potential of all regions
During the two-day OECD Regional Development Policy Committee meeting at a ministerial level, we discussed with representatives from nearly 40 different countries how to pursue policies that support the development of all regions, not just the strongest ones. We adopted the Chair's Statement at the Committee meeting. The document confirms the importance of placing regional development policy at the heart of national strategies, in order to increase competitiveness. We hope that its provisions will translate into effective implementation of the regional policy.
