The hearing of the Commissioner for Cohesion Policy, Elisa Ferreira, by the Parliamentary Committee for Regional Development (REGI) was judged positively by Renew Europe. The various commitments made by Mrs Ferreira largely meet the group's political expectations on the future of cohesion policy, particularly with regard to its budgetary component, the simplification of procedures through innovation and digitisation, and its desire to strengthen the social pillar of regional policy and links with the outermost regions.
Ondřej KNOTEK (ANO, Czech Republic), coordinator of Renew Europe within REGI, said:
"Commissioner-Designate, Elisa Ferreira, former Member of the European Parliament introduced her vision and her willingness to build a tailored policy for all regions, from outermost to mountainous and coal regions. Her profile and political experience as Portuguese Minister in charge of regional development will also be valuable in her future position. She has an ambitious mandate and now, we have to work together to deliver concrete proposals for a cohesion policy that works for all EU regions, to reinforce regional cooperation. I especially look forward to work on the Just Transition Fund, for which Ms. Ferreira promised to put forward a proposal within her first 100 days to ensure that no person, no region is left behind."