We are facing a big choice between a Europe of stagnation and a Europe of hope and bold change,

said Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz while opening the event on Thursday. 

The two-day debate on the role of cohesion policy in strengthening the security, resilience and global competitiveness of the European Union attracted more than a thousand participants. We hosted representatives of EU institutions, international organisations, delegates from EU Member States, academics and experts, and representatives of national, regional and local administrations. There were dozens of fruitful discussions and a number of bilateral meetings. The event was organised by the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy as part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

As Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz argued in her speech, the choice on the pace of development of the EU has very specific implications in how its cohesion policy, investment policy and common market will be planned.

Europe needs big, well-thought-out investments

The issue of investment policy was addressed by the Deputy Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Jan Szyszko, who stressed that what Europe needs most now is large, well-considered investment, cheap energy and security. We have two milestones ahead of us to make this happen. The first of them is the midterm review and the second one is the negotiation of a new cohesion policy.

It is not enough just to invest more flexibly and better. If we want to be competitive with China and the US, we need to invest more. We as Europe must build our security, independence, prosperity and a better quality of life with more resources,

added the Deputy Minister.

Together to strengthen competitiveness

Everyone in Europe understands right now that it is not possible to feel safe without being competitive,

said Undersecretary of State for European Affairs in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka.

The deputy minister stressed that we have already realised that no Member State can be competitive in global markets on its own. She added that if we compared ourselves with the US, China, or India, we must act together as Europe. And in order to act together, we should also ensure strong inter-regional cooperation.

Cohesion and competitiveness are linked

In conclusion, the Deputy Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Monika Sikora, spoke stressing that the two days of discussions were proof that cohesion policy is not only a key tool for supporting regional development, but above all a platform for building solidarity and cooperation between countries, regions and communities.

Through this policy we are pursuing common goals that have a real impact on the lives of millions of Europeans,

said Deputy Minister Monika Sikora in her closing speech.

The deputy minister added that the discussions at the conference would contribute to designing future cohesion policy in such a way that it is able to respond as much as possible to the challenges we face, contributing to the EU's security and competitiveness. With cohesion policy, we want Europe to develop even faster, but also to be a community of solidarity in which no one is left behind.