Dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, distinguished guests
Cohesion policy is European solidarity in action.
The mid-term review has demonstrated that this solidarity is not static, it can adapt to new realities while continuing to deliver tangible results. From Malta’s perspective, three lessons stand out.
“Flexibility works when it respects national realities.”
The mid-term review allowed Member States to reprogramme within a common European framework, aligning investments with emerging priorities such as competitiveness, resilience and energy security. This confirms that a place-based, bottom-up approach remains essential.
However, flexibility must not penalise foresight. In some areas, Malta had already invested proactively, for example in water resilience, and therefore could not benefit fully from incentives linked primarily to new spending. Future frameworks should reward preparedness as well as reprioritisation.
“Cohesion policy must remain genuinely place-based and avoid an overly centralised delivery model.”
While alignment with EU strategic priorities is important, effectiveness depends on Member States’ ability to tailor interventions to their specific territorial, demographic and structural conditions.
A shift toward a predominantly top-down model risks undermining decades of progress built on partnership, subsidiarity and shared management. Cohesion policy succeeds when it combines European direction with national ownership.
“The policy must work for all Member States including the smallest.”
Rules designed to cater for most instances can produce unintended inequities at the extremes. For small island Member States, thresholds, rigid eligibility conditions or uniform benchmarks may fail to capture proportionate needs and vulnerabilities.
Solidarity requires equity, not uniformity. Instruments must recognise that a shock affecting a small territory can be just as severe, or more so, even if absolute figures appear modest at EU scale.
Looking ahead to the post-2027 framework, we therefore see three priorities.
- We need predictable but responsive programming, enabling long-term planning while allowing rapid mobilisation in times of crisis.
- We need flexibilities supported by adequate upfront financing and simplified procedures, so that adjustments translate into real delivery rather than additional administrative burden.
- And we need strong administrative capacity across all regions, supported by guidance, knowledge sharing and practical implementation tools.
Finally, cohesion policy was never intended as a short-term instrument. Its value lies in sustained investment that reduces disparities over time.
In conclusion, as we design the future framework, we must preserve what makes cohesion policy successful: partnership, place-based implementation and solidarity among all territories. Let us adapt the policy based on past lesson learnt but not dilute its core mission by departing from fundamental principles that have served as the basis for its success.
Thank you.
