site.btaDeputy Prime Minister Donchev: EU Needs Common Growth, Competitiveness Framework

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev represented Bulgaria at the General Affairs Council on Cohesion, which was held in Brussels on Friday, the press center of the ministry reported.

The Council held an exchange of views on a more dynamic and strategic cohesion policy by delivering change in the current and next multiannual financial perspective and reducing regional disparities. The ministers discussed the suitable financing of the Cohesion Policy, to build a secure, competitive and sustainable EU.

The Council approved conclusions on cohesion and cohesion policy post-2027, which Bulgaria supported. The conclusions highlight the importance of economic, social and territorial cohesion and its role in addressing EU challenges. They also reaffirm that competitiveness and cohesion are interconnected, emphasising the role of both enhancing competitiveness of the EU as a whole and improving cohesion across countries and regions, thereby contributing to the achievement of EU strategic priorities and addressing EU challenges in a mutually reinforcing manner. Finally, the conclusions recall that cohesion policy is a long-term investment policy and that improving its efficiency and effectiveness can be achieved by focusing on results. 

“Bulgaria is convinced that the Union needs a common strategic framework at the EU level to ensure growth, competitiveness and reduce regional disparities, in view of the numerous challenges that Member States are called on to respond to,” Deputy Prime Minister Donchev said in his address to the participants. He defined as important the preserving of the “golden” principles of Cohesion Policy, implemented in a shared management regime, the approach oriented towards the place, multilevel governance and partnership, as well as the preservation and upgrading of the working mechanisms. At the same time, he expressed reservations towards the replication of new elements from other instruments, including the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) without assessing and validating their effectiveness.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need for real simplification of the Cohesion Policy, which is key to reducing the administrative burden and enhancing its effectiveness. He pointed out that in order to make it successful and result-oriented, cohesion policy must implement reforms that are consistent with its objectives and facilitate investments. “Regions should be at the center of the policy. They should have the opportunity to decide what is important and focus on areas with high growth potential by applying a place-based approach. This approach will ensure recognition of the processes and commitment at all levels,” the Deputy Prime Minister said. Regarding the new EU priorities, including defense, he pointed out that Cohesion Policy is not a crisis response tool, and its traditional focus should be preserved, but investments in research, progress and innovation, which unlock the economic development and growth of regions, can be supported.

In conclusion, he drew attention to the need to assess the compatibility of the new priorities in the field of defense and the current dual transition and green policies.