Madam President,

Dear Executive Vice-President Fitto, Thank you for this debate, and your willingness to listen to regions and cities. The Commission's new priorities to support EU competitiveness, decarbonisation, digitalisation, defence, affordable housing, and the energy transition are a crucial step in the right direction for Europe.

However, we must ensure that this flexibility to shift that Cohesion funds is used wisely. Cohesion Policy, by its nature, is a long-term policy, an investment policy. It should not be treated as a money pod for all emerging challenges. To make tangible progress, new resources must be identified. To this end, we must also ensure that poorer regions do not bear the brunt of these changes, so that no one stays behind.

We firmly believe that decisions on the ground should not be forced through a top-down approach. Empowering local and regional authorities, in line with the principles of active subsidiarity, will allow for solutions that genuinely meet local needs. Simplification of rules should not lead to centralisation but rather to empowering those who understand the local context best.

Let us continue to work together to ensure that Europe moves forward and deliver real, lasting benefits for the EU citizens. Impact towards competive and sustainable Europe. Thank you.

Sari Rautio - Comment to EU Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto at the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions on 3.4.2025