EXPECTED NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 165

EVENT DESCRIPTION:
An informal meeting of ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy with invited stakeholders, such as the representatives of European Parliament (REGI Committee), European Committee of Regions, European Economic and Social Committee, European Economic Community, European Investment Bank and others. These bodies cannot participate in the Council's meetings, but their input within the indicative discussion is desirable.

The meeting will open political debate followed by the Council conclusion. The result of the debate will presumably form one of the inputs of the Council conclusion. This meeting will continue the expert meeting taking place in July. The informal ministerial meeting will focus on two areas – the general debate on the Cohesion Policy and its development after 2027, and the role of Cohesion Policy during unforeseeable events, such as the pandemic crisis, war in Ukraine, or natural disasters.


CONTENT:
The meeting will be focused on two focal areas. First part will include the indicative debate on Cohesion Policy as a strategic tool for regional development including the impact on regions. The debate will aim at pointing out (i) the impacts of Cohesion Policy in terms of recovery and strengthening resilience in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, (ii) the ability of Cohesion Policy to respond to new social European trends, such as digitalisation or green transition and linking Cohesion Policy to recently developed tools (RRF, JCF, etc.) and (iii) to show the results of Cohesion Policy in terms of regional development.

The debate will also focus on experience with the implementation of Cohesion Policy in terms of flexibility and new simplifying tools it introduces. The second part of the meeting will be dedicated to the role of Cohesion Policy in dealing with the impacts of unforeseeable events .

ORGANIZING BODY:
Department of EU Funds Management and Coordination

​CONTACT PERSONS:
Ms Sandra Illínová, +420 703 840 708, 224 861 850, e-mail: Sandra.Illinova@mmr.cz  
Mr Jan Král, +420 731 432 541, e-mail: Jan.Kral@mmr.cz

INFORMATION FOR THE MEDIA:
Accreditations are closing 8 days before the event and can be obtained solely through the official accreditation system of the CZ PRES.
Find the detailed guide on how to obtain accredditation on the official website of the Czech Presidency EU2022.CZ.