10 questions for debate

In the Second Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, published at the end of January 2001, the European Commission:

• appraises economic and social cohesion across the European Union during the period 1995-96;
• assesses the future of cohesion policy and describes the outlook in the light of the substantial changes brought about by the globalisation of the economy and the challenges deriving from enlargement.

In order to launch a genuine debate on the future regional policy of the European Union, the Commission is also asking ten fundamental questions. It is calling on all the stakeholders (Member States, local authorities, local players, experts and European organisations) to turn their attention to this issue and to participate in the specific seminars to be held during the first half of 2002. These ten questions are as follows:

See also

For further information on the Second Cohesion Report, see:

• the full version of the Report on the European Commission's Inforegio website;
• the record of the discussions which took place during the Cohesion Forum;
• the SCADplus factsheet on the situation and trends in economic and social cohesion in the period 1995-99;
• the SCADplus factsheet on progress in economic and social cohesion policy and the outlook in the light of globalisation and enlargement;
• the SCADplus factsheet on the first progress report on economic and social cohesion (January 2002);
• the SCADplus factsheet on the second progress report on economic and social cohesion (January 2003);
• SCADplus factsheets on the third report on economic and social cohesion: the socio-economic situation of the Union and the impact of European and national policies, proposals for regional policy after 2006.

Last updated: 20.04.2004