A sustainable economic recovery the main theme at EU cohesion ministers' meeting

Ministers of the EU Member States responsible for cohesion policy will hold a video conference on 15 June 2020 to discuss ways of promoting the recovery of the EU economy from the COVID-19 crisis with regional and structural policy programmes.

State Secretary Kimmo Tiilikainen will represent Finland at the meeting on behalf of Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.

The meeting will focus on proposals made in the recovery plan announced by the European Commission on 27 May 2020 regarding measures to be implemented in the current and future cohesion policy programmes. At the heart of the plan are the European growth strategy, Green Deal, and digitalisation. Ministers will discuss ways to support the rapid recovery of the economy and long-term sustainable growth.

“The EU economy is struggling. To alleviate the situation, structural funds can be used to invest in regional and national recovery plans to start economic recovery within the entire internal market,” says State Secretary Tiilikainen.

EU leaders will discuss the Commission's stimulus package June 19th

The European Commission published its recovery plan, alongside the multiannual financial framework, on 27 May. The Commission is striving for a low carbon, digital transition and seeks to support companies to build a bridge beyond the crisis.

The recovery plan proposed by the Commission amounts to EUR 1,850 billion in total. The plan consists of two parts: a new proposal for the multiannual financial framework (EUR 1,100 billion) and the new EU recovery instrument (EUR 750 billion).  According to the Commission’s proposal, both funding sources would be used to support EU’s regional and structural policy.

No decisions will be made at the informal meeting. The European Council will hold its first discussion on the recovery plan on 19 June. The European Council will make its unanimous decision later. 

Inquiries:
Nina Alatalo, Adviser to the Minister of Economic Affairs (EU Affairs), Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7171
Eliisa Hujala, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. 029 506 4949