A Budget and Cohesion Policy for Europe 2020: Let the Negotiations Begin

After a protracted period of informal consultation and debate, the European Commission published its budgetary proposals for the 2014-2020 Multi-annual Financial Framework at the end of June 2011, followed by the tabling of the Cohesion policy regulatory package in October 2011. The aim of this paper is to provide a review and assessment of the debate on the reform of EU Cohesion policy over the past year. It begins with a review of the context for reform, examining EU crisis management measure and broader policy developments. The Commission's proposals on the MFF are then examined, followed by an analysis of the implications for national and regional eligibility and financial allocations under EU Cohesion policy. The policy dimensions of the post-2012 Cohesion policy proposals are reviewed in detail, and the paper concludes with issues and questions for discussion.