The European Union’s Cohesion Fund programmes should be adapted to reflect new priorities, including defence, European Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto said during a visit to Lithuania on Thursday.
Fitto noted that the Commission had proposed revisions to the current cohesion budget in April, with procedures finalised in September. Member states are now able to make use of the updated framework, he told reporters at Lithuania’s border with Belarus.
“For the first time, we are allowing resources to be used for dual purposes – both civilian and military. This is an important opportunity,” he said.
"We have an important opportunity with the current Cohesion program. It was decided four years ago and we are implementing it now, but the world has changed and it is essential to adapt this program," he said.
Fitto added that by December, there will be discussions with the new Lithuanian government and other member states on how these programs could be adjusted.
“Today we have a significant opportunity with the current cohesion programme. The world has changed, and it is essential to adapt this programme,” he added.
Fitto confirmed that discussions with Lithuania’s incoming government, as well as with other EU member states, would take place by December to consider potential changes.
"It will be possible for the Lithuanian government to present an important review of the current program using these new priorities, and defense in particular. In this way, I think it will also be possible to create the connection with the RRF," said the commissioner responsible for Cohesion and reforms.
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