Lazio Region meets Fitto: guaranteed resources and simple rules for European funds 2028-2034

Clear and adequate budget for all regions; respect for regional specificities in the implementation of European strategic priorities; simplification of rules and reduction of administrative burdens. These are the priorities indicated by the vice-president of the Lazio Region Roberta Angelilli to the executive vice-president of the European Commission and responsible for Cohesion Policies Raffaele Fitto. Angelilli, by proxy of President Francesco Rocca, led the Lazio Region delegation to Brussels, where an important summit was held between the member regions of Power Regions of Europe and Executive Vice-President Fitto at the seat of the Free State of Bavaria. The central theme of the discussion was the construction of a modern cohesion policy 2028-2034.

"We fully support the position paper of the Power Regions of Europe," said Angelilli. "Geopolitical and economic challenges require a stronger European response, without compromising or weakening the central role of the regions. Cohesion policy must become more efficient and concrete, in full respect of the principle of subsidiarity, ensuring that European policies remain close to citizens, businesses and territories. We need a stronger European response to geopolitical and economic challenges'.

Three are the fundamental points highlighted by the Lazio Region: aclear and guaranteed financial framework - long-term investments require certain funding for all regions; autonomy of the regions - Europe defines strategic priorities, but the regions must transform them into concrete results, avoiding excessive centralisation and bureaucratic drift. clear and simple rules - less red tape and technical support from the Commission are essential to ensure effective investment and balanced growth.

During the mission to Brussels, the Lazio Region delegation had a busy agenda of institutional meetings. In the morning Vice-President Angelilli had a long discussion with the Cabinet of Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva. Also on the agenda were institutional meetings with the DG responsible for defence, space, and energy, with the Permanent Representation of Italia to the European Union, with the ICE (Institute for Foreign Trade) Agency, and with Confindustria (Confederation of Italian Industry).

"I thank Vice-President Fitto for having reassured the assembly, underlining his commitment to keep the regions at the centre of the European agenda, with respect to the reform of the cohesion policy and the debate on the financial framework for the 2028/2034 European programming - concludes Angelilli - The method adopted by Vice-President Fitto was also appreciated by all: for the first time a strategic dialogue with the regions has been launched, to share strategies and make the territory an active part of the decision-making process. This method has already been successfully used for the reprogramming of European funds of the mid-term review, with the Lazio Region that, thanks to this great opportunity, will implement new projects for over 240 million euros for social housing, competitiveness, water efficiency".