Cohesion policy is the only policy of the European Union that explicitly addresses economic and social inequalities. Interventions in the less developed Member States and regions remain the priority of cohesion policy.

Besides this priority, cohesion policy aims at:
• the implementation of the Lisbon agenda : Community financial support can act as a catalyst, helping to target national policies more on the Union´s objectives.
• the visible presence of the European Union: cohesion interventions are an essential element for political, economic and social integration.

The Commission would seek to facilitate exchanges of experience and good practices on a European scale.
INTERREG
All regions along the external and internal borders would be concerned by cross-border co-operation. The aim is to promote joint solutions to common problems between neighbouring authorities. The Commission intends to propose a new legal instrument with the capacity to carry out co-operation activities on behalf of public authorities.

URBAN
The Commission intends to reinforce the place of urban issues by fully integrating actions in the field into the programmes. Each Member State would propose a list of urban areas which would benefit from a specific action within the programmes. The number of cities concerned should be greater than the 70 today covered by the URBAN initiative.

European Commission, DG Regional Policy
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/index_en.htm

19/02/2004

European Commission, DG Regional Policy

research

Urban Policy

Social inclusion & integration, Economy knowledge & employment