The Hungarian Presidency of the European Union published the conclusions of the discussions. Member States called for a post-2013 cohesion policy that is result-oriented and consistent with the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy. Also discussed were the Commission's proposals regarding conditions and incentives that could be introduced to make the policy more effective.

These are the last debates before the Commission issues its formal legislative proposals on future cohesion policy, which will follow its proposals regarding the future financial framework of the Union.

Member States used the informal meeting in Gödöllő as their last opportunity to share their ideas with the Commission, within the Council’s framework. The Commission is expected to present its proposal on the future of the post-2013 cohesion policy as soon as possible, in order to allow for a timely launch of implementation of post 2013 programmes. A detailed debate on the budget implications and legislative proposals of the policy will start subsequently, in the second half of 2011, under the Polish Presidency.

Source: Inforegio Newsroom