EU cohesion or regional development money is about one third of the EUR 1.2,000 billion of the Union, or about EUR 400 billion.
Cohesion money has leveled out economic and social differences in European countries and regions, so that the poorest countries in the EU have benefited most.
According to the current rules, cohesion resources cannot be used to purchase or directly finance the military, but investments in dual -use products such as droons are allowed.
However, the security situation has also put pressure on the renewal of the use of cohesion billions.
Next Tuesday, the Commission will provide a proposal on the conditions under which the remaining cohesion resources can also be used for defense.
Of the EU Member States, Finland and Poland have most eager to drive the use of cohesion resources for defense. The idea is also partly supported by the Baltic countries.
Other EU countries are not very excited about using cohesion resources for defense purposes as it would take funding from other important sectors.
According to preliminary information, in the Commission’s proposal, the use of money to defense would be voluntary for Member States.
Italy and Hungary have already announced that they are not going to use cohesion money to strengthen their defense.
Finnish line
Minister for Europe and Corporate Guidance Joakim Strand (R) attended a Council meeting on EU cohesion matters on Friday in Brussels.
Finland drives the use of cohesion money for defense, as well as taking into account the importance of the eastern border.
Strand believes and hopes that the Commission’s proposal next week will “get something moving”, even though the use of cohesion money does not solve European defense alone.
The minister says that Finland’s current cohesion money is “quite tied to existing projects and projects”.
“But we are now taking care of our defense anyway,” Strand says.
He hopes that as many other countries as possible will use the opportunity to reinforce their defense by redirecting regional grants.
Currently, Finland plays a role in the cohesion money, as only 23 cents of the cohesion club in the EU budget will return to Finland.
Finland wants to reduce and develop the future (2028-2034) funding fund’s funding season because the world has changed and the economic and social differences between Member States have leveled off.
However, according to Kauppalehti, many Member States have desires in the opposite direction, that is, to grow the cohesion fund.
To the eastern border money
In terms of special funding on the eastern border, European Minister Strand is hopeful.
Deputy Chairman in the Commission Raffaele Fitto has been on the eastern border and has a positive attitude towards Finland’s eastern border needs.
“Yes, this cassette we play, and this influence has yielded results. I’m absolutely sure we will get some separate arrangement,” Strand says.
The Minister says he will meet Fitto later on Friday and tell the Commissioner about the needs of Finland.
MEPs on different lines
On different lines.
Left Alliance MEP Li Andersson says that the use of cohesion money for defense would be a “big mistake”.
Photo: Philippe BUISS
The use of cohesion money on defense, in addition to Member States, distributes MEPs.
On Friday, Kauppalehti asked five MEPs if cohesion money should be used for defense?
Coalition makeup Aura salala replied that “of course you have to use defense.” According to Salla, the current cohesion fund has been ineffective and therefore needs to be reduced. The Coalition Meter would also cut the EU agricultural subsidies and nationalize.
SDP’s Euro Reporter Maria Guzenina In terms of cohesion money, it is worthwhile to invest in defense, but it also ensures that social inequalities can continue to be smoothed by cohesion in the EU.
Downtown MEP Elsi Katainen says that he “would not go out to fund the military industry with cohesion money.” Katainen reminded that cohesion money and agricultural subsidies are needed to strengthen overall European security.
Green MEP Maria Ohisalo The coalition colleague, Salla, criticized that he speaks in favor of overall security, but is also ready to cut it out of EU funds that support it.
Left Alliance MEP Li Andersson It would be a “big mistake” to finance defense from an instrument like a social fund. According to Andersson, cutting EU regional subsidies would be the surest way to hand out Europe to Putin, as cutting social money would increase people’s dissatisfaction, deepen dividing lines and expose people to Russian disinformation.
Facts
The ministers’ resolution
On Friday, EU ministers approved conclusions about cohesion and post-cohesion policy at the General Affairs Council meeting on cohesion at the General Council meeting.
According to the ministers, the competitiveness and regional cohesion of the EU are linked and must be improved.
The conclusions recall that cohesion policy should continue to play a key role in reducing regional differences in Europe.
The Council also resembles the importance of multi -level administration, which enables effective measures at each Member State at the most suitable regional levels.
The Commission is advised to make cohesion policy more based on results. In addition, the Commission is urged to use an evidence -based approach in the future financial framework (2028-2034.
The Council also calls for the Commission to develop and simplify monitoring and evaluation systems in order to assess how investments and reforms achieve the EU’s strategic objectives.