The President of the Government considered that the Cohesion Policy should be strengthened for the 2021-2027 period, taking into consideration that the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will result in a "very heavy economic and social burden" for European citizens.
 
The next EU budget "should support public investment and social protection, because this crisis is not only economic, it also carries a very heavy social burden," said Vasco Cordeiro, who participated in a forum, by video conference, on the European Union's response to the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in European regions. 

In this initiative of the Committee of the Regions to mark Europe Day, the President of the Government stressed that this "crisis should not paralyse Europe," defending that, at a decisive time in the definition of the next Community budget, the importance of the Cohesion Policy in recovering from this emergency is increasingly evident.
 
In this regard, Vasco Cordeiro, who is also the First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions, recommended that the Cohesion Policy for the next seven years needs to be endowed with the appropriate financial resources to the new circumstances, which should be, at least, one third of the next multiannual financial framework. 

"We believe in the Cohesion Policy because we see its true value in supporting our citizens," assured Vasco Cordeiro. As he emphasised, the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic is forcing regional authorities throughout Europe to undertake major efforts to ensure an adequate response in terms of public health, but also at economic and social level. 

"We need a budget for the long-term that will be up to the task for the next seven difficult years," stressed Vasco Cordeiro. 

As regards the panel on Democracy in Europe, featuring the participation of the Vice-President of the European Commission, Dubravka Šuica, the President of the Government noted that this crisis has also proved that the European Union and Member States "can count on the local and regional representatives to take strong and bold measures whenever needed."

"In practice, there are one million elected politicians at regional and local level across Europe who are working to ensure responses for their citizens and their communities. This experience and knowledge should be used," said Vasco Cordeiro.

In February, the President of the Government was elected First Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions by acclamation under an agreement between all political groups stipulating that Vasco Cordeiro will assume the presidency of this European body within two and a half years.