In a rapidly changing environment, cohesion policy remains the key European policy tool for promoting a balanced and sustainable development in the European regions.
The main issue, according to the General Secretary of Public Investments and NSRF, Dimitris Skalkos, as he pointed out at the RGC Regional Conference, organized by the “Peloponnisos” newspaper from March 16 to 18, is to clarify the role of the cohesion policy, that is, we want it to address crises or implement long-term strategies.
For his part, the representative of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) Giorgos Petrakos, we must define the priorities for the planning period after 2027, while to the question of where new resources will be drawn, he answered:
“Europe needs a ‘tax hand’ on large companies that generate huge values and are not taxed”. The following speakers also took part in the discussion: pr. General Secretary of Public Investments and NSRF, Ministry of Development and Investments Giorgos Giannoussis,), Economist and Professor, Department of Public Investment, University of Thessaly Alekos Kritikos. The coordinator was Ioannis Papageorgiou, Director General, Regional Policy Observatory.
Athanasios Katsis, Chancellor of the University of Peloponnese
#RGC #Cohesion #Policy #Future
How can collaboration among various stakeholders enhance the effectiveness of cohesion policy in addressing regional disparities?
**Interview with Dimitris Skalkos, General Secretary of Public Investments and NSRF**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Skalkos. At the recent RGC Regional Conference, you emphasized the need to clarify the role of cohesion policy. Can you elaborate on what you envision the policy addressing in our current climate?
**Skalkos:** Absolutely. Cohesion policy is essential for addressing both immediate crises, like economic downturns and social disparities, and for laying down long-term strategic goals for sustainable development across European regions. The challenge lies in balancing these two aspects effectively.
**Editor:** Giorgos Petrakos raised concerns about defining priorities for the post-2027 planning period. What are your thoughts on how we should approach this?
**Skalkos:** I agree with Mr. Petrakos. We need to foster a clear and coherent long-term vision that incorporates emerging challenges while also being flexible enough to adapt to unforeseen crises. Setting defined priorities will help allocate resources more effectively.
**Editor:** You mentioned resource allocation, which leads us to the issue of taxation raised during the conference. What is your stance on implementing new tax mechanisms for large corporations, as suggested by Mr. Petrakos?
**Skalkos:** It’s a complex issue. While finding new revenue streams is crucial, we must ensure that any tax measures are fair and do not stifle innovation and growth in the sectors that contribute significantly to our economy. A careful approach is necessary here.
**Editor:** Many experts attended the conference. How do you see the role of collaboration among these varied stakeholders in shaping cohesion policy?
**Skalkos:** Collaboration is vital. Each stakeholder brings unique insights that can enrich our policy-making process. By working together, we can create a more robust framework that truly reflects the needs of all regions.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mr. Skalkos. As our readers reflect on these statements, how do you think they could contribute to a meaningful discussion about the future of cohesion policy in Europe? Do they believe we should prioritize immediate crisis responses or focus on long-term strategic planning?
