The paper argues that the policy should continue to focus on addressing market failures and ensure that regions make full use of their development potential in the context of European economic integration. It also looks at ways in which future cohesion policy can become more focused on performance and results and how to simplify its delivery. Finally, the paper presents an important contribution on the debate launched earlier this year on the rationale, goals and delivery system of European cohesion policy. This reflection process on the future cohesion policy takes place in an evolving European policy context and is one where the policy's stakeholders play an important role.

Paweł Samecki took up his responsibilities as Commissioner in charge of Regional Policy on 4/7/2009. Pawel Samecki was designated by the Polish government for appointment as Member of the European Commission following the resignation of Danuta Hübner, who was elected Member of the European Parliament. Prior to taking up his post at the Commission, Pawel Samecki was a member of the management board of the National Bank of Poland, which he joined in 2004. He was previously a research project coordinator at Natolin European Centre, Warsaw (2002-2003), Undersecretary of State at the Office of the Committee for European Integration (1998-2002) and also at the Ministry of Finance (1997-1998). He holds a Ph. D in economics from the University of Lodz.

/12/2009

Pawel Samecki

research

Urban Policy