Ensuring equal opportunities and social inclusion (exploratory opinion requested by the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU) DG EAC – Commissioner MICALLEF
Enlargement and the EU agri-food sector: How to ensure the social, environmental and economic sustainability of the EU agri-food sector with future enlargement (exploratory opinion at the request of the European Commission)
agrees with the need to align cohesion policy with pressing EU priorities such as competitiveness, defence, energy transition and water resilience. It welcomes the introduction of financial incentives and more flexible funding conditions to support these goals.
stresses that the overarching goal of cohesion policy—to reduce regional disparities—must remain central. It warns against disproportionately benefiting Member States with lower absorption rates and calls for equal access to incentives like 100% EU financing and extended eligibility.
sees the review as a preview of the next MFF and calls for greater use of financial instruments, long-term revenue reform, and a stronger territorial dimension to ensure strategic investments also contribute to regional convergence and EU unity.
Calls for structured consultation process to be established at European level and meaningful involvement of civil society and social partners in economic policymaking, aiming to boost legitimacy, trust, and ownership across the EU.
Insists that Member States must implement Country-Specific Recommendations more effectively and speed up the implementation of Recovery and Resilience Plans, with better planning, coordination, transparency, and administrative capacity.
Urges coordinated public and private investment, Strategic Investment Fund to boost the EU's financing capacity and stresses the need to rapidly increase a massive mobilization of private savings through the completion of the Capital Markets Union and to increase the EIB’s financial capacity.
Calls for more transparent and structured consultation processes, including formalised procedures, early and meaningful involvement, adequate resources and training, and mechanisms to ensure that feedback results in tangible outcomes.
Shares key lessons from the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), stressing the importance of reducing administrative burdens, streamlining procedures, strengthening the role and the involvement of civil society and social partners, and enhancing coordination, planning, and monitoring.
Stresses the urgent need to address delays in Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) implementation through better planning, resource allocation, and simplified administrative processes. Recommendations include cutting unnecessary paperwork, embracing digital tools, and investing in training to boost project management capacity.
