Speech of the Minister of the Presidency at the Informal Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Cohesion Policy

"I would like to start by thanking the Czech Presidency for organizing this informal meeting in this amazing city and for choosing this theme. It is important that we think about Cohesion Policy and that we value the commitment to convergence between regions and to the improvement of our citizens’ lives.

Allow me to pose a question for your consideration: Can we defend Europe without a good cohesion policy? A Europe with highly developed regions, while so many others are left behind, facing problems of desertification, poverty and exclusion? Can we face the great challenges of the 21st century without convergence and solidarity in Europe?

I believe that the answer is clear and in line with the Union's goals defined in the Treaty of Rome: there is no future of convergence in the European Union without a strong Cohesion Policy."

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