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Czechia supports the inclusion of defense in EU cohesion policy after 2028

by AI | 31.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Cohesion policy should continue in its most robust form in the next programming period starting from 2028, and funding for defense projects should also become part of it.

EU flags. Photo: Arne Immanuel Bänsch/dpa

Brussels – Cohesion policy should continue in the most robust form possible in the next programming period starting in 2028, and it should also include funding for defense projects. This was stated by the Czech Minister for Regional Development Petr Kulhánek after today’s meeting in Brussels. On Thursday, the minister also met with Commissioners Dan Jørgensen, who is responsible for energy and housing, and Apostolos Tzitzikostas, who is the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.

Today, a meeting of EU ministers responsible for cohesion policy was held in the Belgian capital. EU cohesion funds, from which the Czech Republic also draws, are intended to increase the standard of living in poorer EU regions. “We discussed cohesion policy, its current state, potential revision in this programming period, and mainly the outlook after 2028, where there is a unanimous emphasis on continuing the cohesion policy in as robust a form as possible,” said Minister Kulhánek.

The European Commission has set strengthening the EU’s defense capability as one of its main priorities. Member states should collaborate more on defense projects, and there should also be a significant increase in defense spending. Debates are also being held on whether cohesion funds could be used to finance defense. According to Minister Kulhánek, the Czech Republic supports this stance. “The need to include defense in cohesion was mentioned in the meeting. Defense is clearly becoming a priority, and we as the Czech Republic agree and support this,” he added. Discussions on the next seven-year budget of the union for 2028 to 2034 are beginning in Brussels during these months. The European Commission could come up with initial proposals during the summer, most likely in July. (March 28)