Executive Vice-President Fitto Outlines Cohesion Policy for European Competitiveness in Brussels

According to the European Commission, Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto addressed ministers, regional presidents, and policy experts in Brussels on 14 October 2026 during a high-level session entitled “A Cohesion Policy for a Competitive Union.” In his address, Fitto highlighted that economic competitiveness has firmly established itself at the core of the European political agenda, bringing structural funds and regional development strategies into sharp focus as the bloc navigates contemporary economic challenges. This strategic alignment between regional development and economic competitiveness reflects ongoing discussions within the European Union regarding the future architecture of the Single Market and multi-annual financial frameworks. Cohesion policy, traditionally focused on reducing disparities between Europe’s regions, is increasingly being viewed by policymakers as a vital instrument to drive innovation, green transition goals, and cross-border resilience across member states. For European citizens, businesses, and regional authorities, these policy shifts signal a potential reorientation of EU funding priorities towards bolstering overall continental productivity. Stakeholders will be monitoring upcoming legislative proposals and budget negotiations as the Commission refines its strategies to ensure that cohesion funding effectively supports both territorial balance and wider European competitiveness.

Source: European Commission. Read the original report ↗