engleski

Croatian views on the future of cohesion policy post 2020

Cohesion policy is the key investment instrument of the European Union aimed at stimulating balanced development in the Member States and regions, which is why, in the context of the European Union’s budget after 2020, it is extremely important to maintain its continuity. Th e new challenges that Europe is facing, fi rst of all the decision of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to exit the European Union, as well as the need to fi nance new priorities, point to the fact that the budget of the European Union will be the main focus of conversations regarding the future of European Union consisted of twenty seven Member States after the fi nalization of the Brexit process. As part of plan-ning the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), it is of importance for Croatia to maintain the status of traditional policies such as cohesion and common agricultural policy. Th e Ministry of Regional Development and EU funds has drafted the National Position of the Republic of Croatia in relationto the future of cohesion policy after 2020, where national standpoints and pri-orities are presented. Given the importance of the topic, this paper will address the weaknesses and elements needed for reaching a higher level of synergy and complementarity between European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and other EU funds. Furthermore, we shall also address the elements which are necessary for the improvement of the eff ectiveness of cohesion policy implemen-tation and for a simpler transition between program periods and a faster start of the new fi nancial period to ensure the continuity of investments. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates the need for stronger eff orts in keeping the cohesion policy as one of the key priorities of the European Union’s budget after 2020, taking into consideration its eff ects across all European regions in terms of reduc-ing disparities and investment for growth and new jobs.

cohesion policy, Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Eu-ropean Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), national co-fi nancing, grants

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