Cities for Cohesion - our 10 key principles

> To see which cities and regions involved in the 10 key principles document click cities/regions involved.

1. A regional policy for all. The EU's regional policy should encompass all EU regions and acknowledge the role of urban areas. Regional policy must offer substantial support to the lagging regions of the EU as well as to growth regions. We support the view that for the most lagging regions the EU should be able to use Structural Funds and Cohesion Funds to assist with their development.

2. The urban question must be given full recognition. Though the key economic drivers of our regions, cities-regions suffer from the most profound and concentrated disparities. This is evident in many areas, such as the environment, employment and social inclusion. A Europe committed to 'economic and social cohesion' must address the urban question.

3. Reforms to the CAP must be co-ordinated with the reform of regional policy and promote rural development. Agricultural policy absorbs almost 50% of the EU budget. The balance between support for rural development measures and the support for those living in our towns and cities must be redressed for the benefit of all.

4. A future 'regional policy for all' should enable regions to reach the goals outlined in the Lisbon Strategy : '[To make the European Union]... the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.'

5. There should be a strong integrative element to any future funds. Most EU programmes should have a strong networking element. This should be used as an instrument for the 'lagging', 'conversion' and 'most economically successful' regions to learn from each other's best and good practices.

6. Simplification and flexibility. The management of funds must be simplified. Account must be taken of the necessary auditing procedures which have to be defined at the Community level and made clear for operators. In addition, simplification also lies in the creation of a programme that is straightforward and understandable. Regions need the flexibility to determine their development priorities and more flexibility in how they can deliver these priorities. The regulation must recognize the expertise of those working closest to Europe's citizens.

7. An effective policy must also operate in true partnership. The policy must empower regions to deal with their key concerns. Regions must identify their needs and opportunities with the guidance of regional and local stakeholders.

8. Funding must be adequate to reach the goals of the new regional policy.

9. Cohesion policy should be recognised as being wider than a funding issue. There should be a more concerted effort to co-ordinate with other DGs to ensure that they too are committed to the objective of territorial economic and social cohesion.

10. Member states' national policies should also reflect their treaty commitment to territorial economic and social cohesion.