Commissioner Hahn's visit in Croatia

During his visit to Croatia on 24 and 25 May Commissioner Hahn discussed the future of Cohesion Policy for the new Member State, with President Ivo Josipovic, Deputy Prime Minister Branko Grcic and various other key ministers and political players in Zagreb. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn agrees with Spanish authorities to accelerate payments for Cohesion Fund projects

On 21 May, Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn reached an agreement with Spanish Finance Minister Cristobal Montoro in Madrid to accelerate payments for the closure of Cohesion Fund projects. This will release up to 939 million EUR which can be paid quicker to beneficiaries of environmental and transport projects, already completed. Furthermore the reprogramming of the current Cohesion Policy programmes was discussed in order to bring them in line with the Europe 2020 strategy on growth and jobs. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn receives Mr Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum

On 15 May, Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn received Mr Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, to discuss issues from the Commission proposal for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 and its impact on disabled persons. Commissioner Hahn stressed that in future programmes more will be done for disabled Europeans. He stated clearly that the UN convention on the rights of Persons must play a role in conditions to be met before programmes can be used. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn attends the Europe Day celebrations in Austria

On 9th May Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn attended the Europe Day celebrations in Vienna and Graz. Together with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger and Vice-President of the European Parliament Othmar Karas, the Commissioner stressed Europe's role for peace, growth and stability. He pointed, however, also to the challenges ahead: to create sustainable growth and jobs, emphasizing the central role of Regional Policy in this respect. [Read More]

General Affairs Council: Commissioner Hahn welcomes partial agreement on new cohesion policy legislative package

On 24th April Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn participated in the debate of the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Luxembourg. An agreement on a partial general approach on six blocks of the Commission's proposal on the future of cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020 has been reached: strategic programming, ex-ante conditionality, management and control, monitoring and evaluation, eligibility and proportionate control and major projects. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn's visit in Wales

On 19-20 April Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn went to Wales. On 19 April, he met with Mr Carwin Jones, First Minister of Wales and with Mr Alun Davies, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes to discuss the state of play in implementation of cohesion policy in Wales as well as the Commission proposals for the next programming period 2014-2020. [Read more]

Commissioner Hahn's visit in London

On Thursday 19 April Commissioner Johannes Hahn visited London where he met with Mr Mark Hoban, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, to discuss the future of regional policy in the framework of the ongoing negotiations on the future EU budget for 2014-2020. [Read More]

Commission welcomes Parliament’s endorsement of risk-sharing instruments for Member States worst hit by the financial crisis, to contribute to investment and job creation

The European Parliament has today approved the Commission’s proposal enabling the use of cohesion policy allocations still available to back-up guarantees and loans by financial institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB). EU funds will be used to create so-called “risk-sharing instruments”. The measure is intended to address the serious obstacles faced by some Member States, especially Greece, in raising the private financing needed to implement key projects which can only be part-financed by public funds. This tool will support more investment in the economy and therefore creation of jobs.[Read More]

Commissioner Hahn's visit in Latvia

On 30th March Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn went to Latvia where he met with Latvian Prime Minister Mr Valdis Dombrovskis and Latvian Minister for Environment and Regional Development Mr Edmunds Sprudzs to discuss the European Commission's proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the future Cohesion policy and the implementation the Baltic Sea Strategy by Latvia. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn's visit in Lithuania

On Thursday 29 March Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn made his first official visit to Lithuania. He met with H.E. Ms Dalia Grybauskaitė, President of the Republic of Lithuania and Prime Minister Mr Andrius Kubilius to discuss the future of regional policy in the wider context of the next EU financial framework.[Read More]

Commission approves funding for Pompeii to restore important European heritage site

Today, the European Commission has approved funding from the European Regional Development Fund for a major project to restore the area of the UNESCO site of Pompeii, in Campania, Italy. The project 'preservation, maintenance and improvement of the archaeological site of Pompeii' will lead to the investment of 105 million euro of EU and national contributions combined. The objective is to preserve the site as a long term tourism attraction for the region.[Read More]

Commissioner Hahn answers questions: live web chat

Commissioner Hahn answered questions about the plans for EU cohesion policy in 2014-2020, during a live web chat on 26 March 2012. The web chat was hosted on RegioNetwork 2020, the EU's cooperation and networking website for the EU regional policy community. [Read More]

Future of regional policy and audit discussed during visit to Prague

Commissioner Johannes Hahn visited Prague on 22 and 23 March to attend a conference on the future of regional policy with the so-called Visegrad countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary) and Slovenia.[Read More]

Commissioner Hahn meets with various actors in political and social life in Austria

During a range of meetings between 15 and 20 March in Vienna Commissioner Hahn has been discussing the current state of play of the European Union and future developments of his own portfolio of Regional Policy with various high ranking politicians and actors in social life.[Read More]

Commission sets new priorities and performance indicators for Baltic Sea region

The European Commission has today released a Communication on the first of its Macro-Regional Strategies, the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, setting out how it proposes to take co operation between the participating states up a gear. [Read More]

EU uses Regional Development Fund to guarantee up to €1 billion worth of loans for Greek enterprises

EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, in Athens on 21 March, added another element to boost growth by launching a new Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) for Greece. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn meets new Romanian government

Commissioner Johannes Hahn met the new Romanian prime minister Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu in Bucharest on 19 March to discuss how to improve the use of EU funds, to fully benefit of the allocated amount until the end of this funding period. During the visit to Romania the Commissioner met also with the interministerial committee of all ministers responsible for handling funds and invididual ministers and the leaders of the opposition parties. [Read More]

Solidarity Fund: Commission proposes €18 million for flood damage in Liguria and Tuscany

The European Commission has on 15 March proposed to allocate an amount of EUR 18.06 million from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to Italy following the severe flooding in Liguria and Tuscany in October 2011. This funding will contribute towards the costs borne by public authorities in response to the emergency, in particular for restoring essential infrastructure, like reconnecting water, gas and electricity supplies.[Read More]

Commissioner Hahn meets Mrs. Anna Diamantopoulou, New Greek Minister for National Development, Competitiveness and Shipping

On 14 March the new Greek minister for National Development, Competitiveness and Shipping, Mrs. Anna Diamantopoulou, visited Commissioner Hahn. The meeting's main purpose was to discuss the implementation of priority projects in Greece, of which over 180 must be finished on an administrative level by end of next year, and the use of the European Regional Development Fund money for Greece for further investments in the setting up of small companies, in order to quickly create new jobs.[Read More]

Commission proposes one programming tool for all structural funds

Following the Cohesion Policy proposals of 6th October 2011, the Commission has today presented the "Common Strategic Framework" (CSF). It is intended to help Member States and their regions in setting clear investment priorities for the next financial planning period from 2014 until 2020.

It will enable a far better combining of various funds - not only the Cohesion and Structural Funds, but also the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund- and maximise the impact of EU investments. National and regional authorities will use this framework as the basis for drafting their 'Partnership Contracts' with the Commission, committing themselves to meeting Europe's growth and jobs targets for 2020.

Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn, stated: "The Commission is committed to increasing the coherence between our policy goals and investment on the ground, and  setting out how the Funds can work together with the common goal of achieving smart and sustainable growth for all of Europe's citizens".[Read More]

Commissioner Hahn 's visit in Madrid

On Monday, 12 March, Commissioner Johannes Hahn travelled to Madrid to establish contacts with the new Spanish Government. He met with Prime Minister Mr. Mariano Rajoy, Mr. Cristóbal Montoro, Minister for Finance and Public Administration, Mr José Manuel Garcìa Margallo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Mr. Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, Secretary of State for European Affairs. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn meets new government and main political actors in Slovenia

Commissioner Johannes Hahn visited Ljubljana on 8 March to meet with Prime Minister Mr. Janesz Jansa, minister for Economic Development and Technology Mr. Radovan Zerjav and minister for Infrastructure and Spatial Planning Mr. Zvonko Cernac to discuss the future planning of regional funds, for the period after 2013, and the current implementation of projects in Slovenia. [Read more]

Commissioner Hahn meets government of Sachsen-Anhalt in Brussels' representation

To celebrate the opening 20 years ago of the EU representation of the German Region of Sachsen Anhalt, Commissioner Johannes Hahn met with its regional government in its Brussels' office. Regional representatives in the European Parliamen were also present to discuss the future budget for regional policy, on which both government and Commissioner agree it has to be adequate in order to fulfil all the goals of the future policy proposals. [Read more]

President Masseret of Lorraine Region discusses cross border issue and urban policy

Mr. Jean-Pierre Masseret, President of the French Region of Lorainne, visited Commissioner Hahn on 6 March, to talk about cross border projects in the light of regional policy and urban and city policy, as well with regards to the future funding period. [Read more]

Prime Minister Rheinland-Pfalz visits Johannes Hahn

Kurt Beck, Prime Minister of the German region of Rheinland-Pfalz, visited Commissioner Johannes Hahn on 5 March to talk about the future of regional policy after 2013 and its importance for and practical implementation in the region.[Read more]

Danish and German regions want to improve cross border cooperation

Prime Minister Peter Harry Carstensen of the German region of Schleswig-Holstein and Carl Holst, President of the region of Southern Denmark visited Commissioner Johannes Hahn on 5 March to speak about their current cross border cooperation.[Read more]

Commissioner Hahn's visit in Slovakia

On Tuesday 28 February Commissioner Johannes Hahn met with Mr Ján Figel, 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of Slovakia in Bratislava.

The meeting was followed by a working session with the Minister, Members of Parliamentary Committees and the Heads of Self-Governing Regions on the topic of the future of regional policy. They briefly covered other issues as well, such as the current implementation of structural funds in general and the use of resources for marginalised groups in particular. [Read more]

Commissioner Hahn's visit in Cyprus

On Friday 24 February Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn visited Cyprus, where he met with President Demetris Christofias and Cyprus Interior Minister Neoklis Syllikiotis.

The main purpose of his second visit to Cyprus where he had already been in July 2011 was to discuss the priorities for the Cypriot Presidency of the European Union in July-December 2012. The timing of this Presidency is crucial, because during this time the negotiations over legislation for the next programming period of cohesion policy will be completed. [Read more]

Commissioner Hahn visits Cyprus

Commissioner Johannes Hahn is in Cyprus today, where he will meet President Christofias and Members of Cypriot Government. The main purpose of his second visit to Cyprus is to discuss the priorities for the Cypriot Presidency of the European Union in July-December 2012. The legislative proposals on the future of cohesion policy will be discussed as well. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn's statement on the Commission's proposal to suspend EUR 495 million of Cohesion Fund commitments for Hungary

Commissioner Johannes Hahn presented today the Commission's proposal for Hungary to suspend EUR 495 184 000 of Cohesion Fund commitments, with effect from 1 January 2013.

Commissioner Johannes Hahn stated: "This proposal is part of the wider reinforcement of the economic governance of the Union. Let me make it clear from the beginning that we don't do this as some kind of punishment. What we table today is an incentive for Hungary to redress its budgetary problems. The overarching aim of this proposal is to prevent further economic difficulties, stimulating the Hungarian authorities to put their house in order. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn receives Bulgarian Minister for Regional Development Ms Lilyana Pavlova

On 21 February Commissioner Hahn met with Ms. Lilyana Pavlova, Minister for Regional Development of Bulgaria.
During this meeting, the state of play and latest developments regarding the progress in the use of EU funding were discussed. Main topics were the implementation of projects from the operational programmes for regions and transport and environment.[Read More]

Commissioner Hahn hosts the first Urban Forum in Brussels

Commissioner Johannes Hahn has launched a direct dialogue with Europe's cities. EU structural funds are currently one of the most important instruments the EU can use to stimulate growth, and cities should be a major focus, given their particular role in member states' economies. Effective investment in our cities – which represent nearly 70% of the EU population - is crucial at a time of economic crisis.

At the first Urban Forum in Brussels on 16th February, the Commission gave cities their voice on new proposals for urban policy presented last October, which included ambitious plans to earmark funds for cities; develop new more coherent approaches to bringing together actions in sectors like transport and environment; and encourage innovation by the cities themselves. Mayors, representatives of cities and of the EU institutions discussed how to achieve the goals of the EU 2020 strategy with a more dynamic approach to developing urban areas. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn receives Mrs Emilia Müller, Minister for Federal and European Affairs of the Bavarian State Chancellery

On 15 February Commissioner Johannes Hahn received Ms Emilia Müller, Minister for Federal and European Affairs of the Bavarian State Chancellery.

They discussed especially the future of the Cohesion Policy after 2013 in Germany and in Bavaria respectively. Briefly some other issues were covered as well, such as the Danube strategy or the situation in the Bavarian border regions. [Lire la suite]

Commissioner Hahn receives Polish regional governors

On 15 February Commissioner Johannes Hahn met with two Polish marshals (Polish regional governors), Mr Marek Woźniak, President of Wielkopolska Region and Vice-President of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (Committee of the Regions) and Mr Mieczylaw Struk from Pomorskie region. The Commissioner congratulated the govenors on good performance of regional programmes 2007-2013 in Poland and welcomed their support to align Cohesion Policy with the Europe 2020 Strategy. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn to launch dialogue with European cities at the Urban Forum

Commissioner Johannes Hahn will be giving the opening speech at the first European Urban Forum on 16 February at 9.30 a.m. Commissioner Hahn wishes to launch a direct dialogue with Europe’s cities in order to discuss the place of urban development in the cohesion policy for 2014-2020 and the role of cities in contributing to recovery from the current economic crisis.
The Commission's proposed reforms on Cohesion Policy foresee a greater focus on cities as drivers of jobs and growth, and this conference is a first step to giving cities a greater voice. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn receives His Excellency the Ambassador Selim Yenel, Permanent Delegate of Turkey to the EU

On 13 February, Commissioner Johannes Hahn met in Brussels with His Excellency the Ambassador Selim Yenel, newly appointed Ambassador of Turkey to the EU. They discussed the so-called 'positive agenda' - a list of pragmatic actions in the areas of common interest that can bring concrete improvements for the citizens, and Turkey's use of IPA III funds, in the field of regional policy. [Read more]

Commissioner Hahn visited Dutch province of Noord-Brabant

On Friday 3 February, Commissioner Johannes Hahn visited the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, starting with a visit to the Tilburg University, where the cooperation between academia, the business world and regional and local political leaders was discussed. He then went to the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, where with funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) a state of the art research and development infrastructure has been set up [Read more]

Commissioner Hahn attends the Informal Competitiveness Council in Copenhagen

On 2 February, Commissioner Hahn attended the Informal Competitiveness Council in Copenhagen where he delivered a key-note speech explaining the substantial role of regional funding for the development of research and innovation in the Member States : "The European Regional Development Fund is the largest source of funding for applied research and innovation in the less developed regions. Member States have allocated from the Cohesion Policy Funds 86 billion Euros for innovation – which represents 25% of the current Cohesion Policy budget", he said.[Read more]

Commissioner Johannes Hahn received in Brussels Mr Stephan Mayer, Chairman of the subcommittee on regional economic policy of the German Bundestag

On Tuesday 31 January Commissioner Johannes Hahn received in Brussels Mr Stephan Mayer, Chairman of the subcommittee on regional economic policy of the German Bundestag[Read more]

Commissioner Johannes Hahn receives in Brussels Mr. Kamil Jankovsky, Czech minister for Regional Development

On Monday 30 January Commissioner Johannes Hahn received in Brussels Mr. Kamil Jankovsky, Czech minister for Regional development.[Read more]

Commissioner Hahn receives Mr Leonard Orban, Romanian Minister for European Affairs

On Monday 30 January Commissioner Hahn received Mr Leonard Orban, Romanian Minister for European Affairs. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn's visit to Romania cancelled due to disruption of air traffic

Commissioner Hahn's visit to Romania, scheduled for today, January 26, was cancelled because of disruption of air traffic due to bad weather conditions.[Read More]

Commissioner Hahn to address European Parliament Committee on Regional Development

Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn addresses the European Parliament's REGI (Regional Development) committee's first meeting of 2012 on 25 January. On the agenda once more will be the legislative package post-2013 and the Commissioner briefing MEPs on the state of play of negotiations in the Council. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn visits Bulgaria

On Sunday 22 January Commissioner attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Bulgarian President Rosen PLEVNELIEV. He also met with Prime Minister Boyko BORISOV and Tomislav DONCHEV, Minister responsible for EU funds. In the afternoon the Commissioner attended signing ceremony between Bulgaria, the European Investment Bank, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn visits Italy

Commissioner Hahn visits France

Commissioner Hahn visits France on 16 January to discuss the new proposals on cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020 with Mr Bruno LE MAIRE, Minister in charge of Food, Agriculture, Fishing, Rural Affairs and Town and Spatial Planning, Ms Marie-Luce PENCHARD, Minister in charge of the outer regions, and Ms Valérie PECRESSE, Minister for Budget. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn visits Greece and meets with Prime Minister on structural funds

Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn will visit Greece from 13 14 December to discuss actions to improve and speed up the use of structural funds to create growth and jobs with Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Minister for Regional Development and Competitiveness Michalis Chrysoides and various other ministers. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn meets the French Prime Minister François Fillon

Commissioner Hahn meets the French Prime Minister François Fillon to discuss the Commission's proposals for the future cohesion policy 2014-2020, in particular the issues of thematic concentration, simplification, Territorial Cohesion and Territorial Cooperation. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn discusses city policies with EU mayors

During a meeting in the European Parliament of the Covenant of European mayors on 29 November, Commissioner Hahn emphasized the importance of an integrated urban policy in the European Union. [Read More]

InnovationCity Bottrop in Germany hailed as exemplary EU project

Commissioner Hahn acclaimed the project InnovationCity in the West-German Ruhr area as an exemplary way of using EU regional funding in combination with private and regional investments to increase energy efficiency. [Read More]

Participation of Commissioner Hahn at conference for Baltic Sea region

On 30 November, Commissioner Hahn participated at a conference at the Committee of Regions in Brussels, on the Baltic Sea region. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn discusses uptake of EU funds with Bulgarian ministers

On 29 November Commissioner Hahn received four Bulgarian ministers, who presented a plan to increase the use of structural funds in the field of environment. [Read More]

Roman Mayor Alemanno visits Commissioner Hahn

The mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno met with Commissioner Hahn on 29 November, to discuss the future funding period for cohesion policy after 2013 and urban policy in general. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn and Secretary of State Bojan Suvorov sign agreement to mobilise EUR 7,5 million EUR from the EU Solidarity Fund

After the flooding disaster of September 2010, Slovenia applied to get financial support from the EU Solidarity Fund. [Read More]

Priority projects in Greece

Following a meeting on 28 November between European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn and the governors of the Greek regions and mayors from the main cities, an updated list of priority projects to be co-funded by the European Commission was presented. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn's visit to Denmark

Commissioner Hahn met on 23rd November 2011 Members of the Danish Government, Mr Nicolai Wammen, Minister for European Affairs, Bjarne Corydon, Minister for Finance and Ole Sohn, Minister for Business and Growth. He discussed with them the upcoming Danish Presidency of the European Union in relation with cohesion policy [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn visits Portugal

Commissioner Johannes Hahn will be in Portugal on 17- 19 November to discuss the current state of play regarding EU investments from the structural funds with several government representatives. Furthermore the issue of reprogramming funds to improve their uptake, to increase growth and job creation, is a central point of attention. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn puts focus on growth potential for Carinthia

Commissioner Johannes Hahn visited the Austrian region of Carinthia on Wednesday 16 November, where he met with president of the region Gerhard Dörfler and signed the official guestbook of the regional government. The focus of the visit was to prepare the region for the next funding period for regional policy, which will concentrate on high growth potential sectors for Carinthia like research and development infrastructure [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn and prime minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on tackling demographic challenges

Commissioner Johannes Hahn congratulated Erwin Sellering upon his reappointment as prime minister of the German region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern during a meeting in Brussels, in which the issue of demographic change was one of the topics of discussion [Read More]

Turkish European Affairs minister Bagis visits Commissioner Hahn

The Turkish minister for European Affairs Egemen Basis visited Commissioner Johannes Hahn in Brussels [Read More]

Future of regional policy discussed with Austrian scientists

Commissioner Johannes Hahn met on 8 November in Brussels with the Austrian Wirtschaftsakademiker, the organisation of Austrian economic scientists [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn meets German minister for Education and Science Schavan

Commissioner Johannes Hahn received the German minister for Education and Science Annette Schavan, to discuss the proposals for regional policy after 2013 [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn agrees on action plan for Italy and visits Pompeii

Commissoner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn on 7 November visited Italy, where in the morning he signed an action plan for a strategic reorientation of EU structural funds for Italy [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn visited three of Europe's outermost regions

Commissoner Johannes Hahn from 31 October until 4 November was on an official visit to three of the EU's seven outermost regions: Guiana, Guadelupe and Martinique. On Martinique on 4 November he attended the conference of the presidents of all outermost regions, which discussed the future of EU regional policy. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn attended 2nd Annual Baltic Forum

The 2nd Annual Forum on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region took place together with the 13th Baltic Development Forum (BDF) Summit in the Polish City of Gdańsk from 24-26 October. The Forum brought together over 700 representatives from the private sector and civil society, from academia and the media in the Baltic Sea Region, including Russia and Norway; as well as various policy-makers to discuss how newly-set regional ambitions can play into Europe’s wider objectives for 2020 of Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Growth. [Read More]

Commissioner presented 'Cities of Tomorrow' report at international conference in Warsaw

On 24th October, Commissioner Johannes Hahn gave a keynote speech at the opening of the 'Effective Instruments Supporting Territorial Development' conference, co-organised by the Polish Ministry of Regional Development and the European Commission, and marking one of the major events of the Polish presidency. [Read More]

Over 200 regions sign St. Pölten Manifesto

Commissioner Johannes Hahn visited the Austrian City of St. Pölten on Friday 21 October, where he received the St. Pölten Manifesto on the importance of future investment in regional development by the European Union, after 2013. [Read More]

Official visit to Malta

Commissioner Johannes Hahn made an official visit to Malta on 17 October, where he met with prime minister Lawrence Gonzi [Read More]

Webchat with Commissioner Hahn on 18 October

Do you want to find out more about the Commission's proposals for EU cohesion policy during the period 2014-2020? [Read More]

OPEN DAYS 2011

The 9th OPEN DAYS will be held over four days from 10 to 13 October, in a period during which the debate on the European Commission's legislative proposals for cohesion policy post-2013 and the budget debate in the Council and the European Parliament about size, duration and priorities of the forthcoming Multi-annual Financial Framework will dominate the political agenda. [Read More]

A new architecture for cohesion policy 2014-2020

The European Commission has adopted a draft legislative package which will frame cohesion policy for 2014-2020. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn trusts Romania to take swift action through EU cohesion policy

Commissioner Hahn is in Bucharest on 23 September to meet the Romanian President Traian Basescu, Prime Minister Emil Boc and several Ministers responsible for the implementation of cohesion policy. [Read More]

European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn proposes action plan for improved EU structural fund investments in Greece

European Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn, today in Athens, concluded a seminar with all Greek Ministers responsible and regional governors to improve the investment of EU structural funds in Greece. Improving the uptake of EU co-funding is the key factor to create economic growth and improve competitiveness in Greece in the years ahead. [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn welcomes the action plan of the Greek authorities to improve the use of structural funds in Greece

An action plan to improve the use of EU structural funds in Greece was agreed on 21 September 2011 at the conclusion of a three-day seminar in Athens. [Read More]

Increasing co financing rates for EU funds - boosting European economic recovery

The European Commission has agreed to measures that should make a significant contribution to getting some of the EU's most troubled economies back on track. [Read More]

Register from today for OPEN DAYS European Week of Regions and Cities

Online registration for the OPEN DAYS 2011 European Week of Regions and Cities gets underway today. Participation is free, with 111 specialist seminars to choose from 10-13 October. [Read More]

EU budget 2014-2020 and cohesion policy

Conclusions from Gödöllő

The conference of European Ministers responsible for cohesion policy was held in Gödöllő, near Budapest, Hungary on 20 May. [Read More]

Debate with Commissioner Hahn: web-streaming

The first meeting of the year between the Commission's Regional Policy's department (DG REGIO) and representatives from regional offices in Brussels takes place on 17 May. [Read More]

Consultation on the Conclusions of the 5th Cohesion Report

With 444 contributions received between 12th November 2010 and 31st January 2011, the public consultation on the Conclusions of the 5th Cohesion Report was a real success, allowing hundreds of contributors to express their views on the future of Cohesion Policy ... [Read More]

EU's outermost regions to remain a priority of the future cohesion policy

On 12 May in Brussels, the European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, met the Presidents of the Outermost Regions (OR) and representatives of their member states (France, Spain and Portugal) ... [Read More]

Commission welcomes the Council's green light for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region

The ministers of the 27 EU Member States, have today in Luxembourg, endorsed the EU Strategy for the Danube Region adopted by the European Commission ... [Read More]

Solidarity Fund: Commissioner Hahn announces €10.9 million in EU aid for flood damage in Czech Republic

[Read More]

Webchat with Commissioner Hahn

Commissioner Hahn made himself available on 21 March from 3-4pm (Brussels time) to chat on-line about future EU cohesion policy ... [Read More]

Webchat with Commissioner Hahn

Commissioner Hahn made himself available on 21 March from 3-4pm (Brussels time) to chat on-line about future EU cohesion policy ... [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn visits Finland

Commissioner Hahn met the Finnish Prime Minister, other members of the Finnish Government ...[Read More]

Solidarity Fund: Commission proposes €8.6 million for Slovenian and Croat regions hit by flooding

The European Commission has today proposed to allocate €7.46 million to Slovenia and €1.17 million to Croatia from the EU Solidarity Fund ... [Read More]

Commissioner Johannes Hahn launches Regional Policy Dialogue with Georgia

At a meeting today with the Georgian Minster for Regional Development and Infrastructure ... [Read More]

European Commissioner Hahn announces priority area coordinators for EU Strategy for Danube Region

In order to develop the huge economic potential of the Danube river ...[Read More]

Future Cohesion Policy in spotlight at the Fifth Cohesion Forum

The EU's cohesion policy - worth almost €350 billion over 7 years - provides support for 455 national ... [Read More]

EU Regional Policy- key for achieving Union's 2020 sustainable growth goals

The European Commission presented a communication setting out the role of the EU's regional policy in contributing to ... [Read More]

EU Regional Policy - key for achieving Union's 2020 sustainable growth goals

The Commission today launches a call to action to those in Member States managing Cohesion funds ... [Read More]

Follow the Cohesion Forum debates live!

The European Commission has invited top policy-makers from the 27 Member States to Brussels for the Fifth Cohesion Forum ... [Read More]

General Afairs Council discusses Cohesion Policy

Commissioner Hahn presented the 5th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion in the EU to the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 14 December 2010... [Read More]

Greece: EU funds support economic recovery

Commissioner Johannes Hahn was in Athens on 10 December 2010 for a meeting with the Greek Prime Minister ... [Read More]

Commission launches Strategy to boost development of the Danube Region

The European Commission has today presented its proposal for an EU Strategy for the Danube Region ... [Read More]

Cohesion policy in the news

EU cohesion policy has been making the headlines in recent days. This kind of reporting and scrutiny provides a welcome contribution to the discussions .. [Read More]

Debate with Commissioner Hahn: web-streaming

Commissioner Hahn met with representatives of regional offices in Brussels on 26 November 2010 ... [Read More]

Statement by European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, responsible for Regional Policy, welcoming the Mexico City Pact on the role of cities in reducing CO2 emissions

European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, responsible for Regional Policy, welcomes the adoption by over a hundred mayors of big cities around the world of the Mexico City Pact ... [Read More]

Informal meeting of ministers responsible for regional policy

The future of EU Cohesion Policy will be top of the agenda at an informal meeting ... [Read More]

Commission sets out options on future cohesion policy

The Commission's 5th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion published today shows ... [Read More]

OPEN DAYS 2010 - European Week of Regions and Cities (4-7 October): towards Europe 2020

The eighth OPEN DAYS - European Week of Regions and Cities, opens on 4 October in Brussels ... [Read More]

Commission proposes € 31.2 million aid for Portugal following severe floods in Madeira

The European Commission today proposes granting € 31.2 million in aid from the European Union Solidarity ... [Read More]

The Commission proposes assistance of 35.6 million euros for France to tackle the legacy of Storm Xynthia

The European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, today presented ... [Read More]

EU adopts new measures to simplify management of funds to help regions tackle the crisis

The EU has on 24 June 2010 adopted new measures ... [Read More]

For two days, the outermost regions are at the heart of Europe

On 27 and 28 May, the European Commission is organising the first Forum for Outermost Europe ... [Read More]

EU adopts new measures to improve housing conditions of Roma communities

The European Parliament has given its green light to a proposal from the European Commission ... [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn attends ministerial conference on outermost regions in Gran Canaria (Spain)

The European Commissioner for regional policy, Johannes Hahn, will travel to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ... [Read More]

New survey reveals wide differences in how European citizens view quality of life in their cities

The European Commission today releases the results of a Eurobarometer opinion poll looking at how citizens ... [Read More]

Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia to share extra € 1 Billion from Structural Funds in 2011-2013

Poland will receive an extra € 633 million, the Czech Republic € 237 million and Slovakia € 138 million in structural funds ... [Read More]

Commission assesses cohesion policy's achievements: around 1.4 million jobs created in Europe in 2000-2006

The investment of €123 billion through the European Regional Development Fund ... [Read More]

Committee of the Regions presents outline for cohesion policy reform

50 billion Euros a year are at stake in the forthcoming reform of EU regional policy ... [Read More]

Committee of the Regions takes EU "macro-regions" debate to next level

EU "macro-regional" strategies define priority projects for groups of regions or countries like the Baltic Sea region ... [Read More]

CoR votes on political priorities and starts debate on key issues with Commissioners Hahn, Füle and Ciolos

Following the European Commission's adoption of its 2010 work programme, CoR members ... [Read More]

New Commission report presents first assessment of roll-out of European cohesion policy

€93 billion or 27 % of EU funding has been allocated to projects for investment in jobs and growth in Europe ... [Read More]

Strategic reports submitted by the Member States on cohesion policy 2007-2013: Questions and Answers

Cohesion policy is the European Union's strategy to promote and support the overall social and economic development... [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn to visit Madeira (Portugal) to express EU's solidarity towards victims of severe storms

Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, will be in Madeira on 6 and 7 March to see ... [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn to visit France in the wake of Storm Xynthia

Johannes Hahn , European Commissioner for Regional Policy, will visit France tomorrow to express European solidarity ... [Read More]

Developing the Danube Region: Commissioner Hahn draws strategy with partners

Developing the Danube Region: Commissioner Hahn draws strategy ... [Read More]

Commissioner Hahn attends the Baltic Sea Action Summit in Helsinki

Commissioner Hahn attends the Baltic Sea Action Summit in Helsinki ... [Read More]