As the EU decision-makers meet yesterday and today to discuss the way EU money will be spent over the next financial period, the EESC president renews his call to the Member States to decide on a robust EU budget, underpinned by an own-resource mechanism. The EU budget must support a strong and sustainable common agricultural policy (CAP) and a single cohesion policy, and must foster innovation and research which are drivers for bringing the EU back to sustainable growth and job creation. Economic and social stakeholders from the EESC say yes to trimming EU expenses, and no to trimming EU’s money for investment!
The EESC calls for more convergence and reminds the EU decision-makers that the CAP budget should be maintained at least at the same level as in the current programming period. The future CAP should be balanced, fair, pragmatic and mindful of agricultural diversity across the EU.
Innovation and research investments can support renewed industrial policy in Europe, strategic investments in infrastructure and a strong and revitalised energy policy.Cohesion policy is also a launchpad for innovation and is vital for ensuring that the stimulus provided by the single market does not bypass disadvantaged regions and, by acting as a buffer to centralisation, helps build a united, socially sustainable Europe.
