MEPs demand a stronger and tailored cohesion policy for eastern border regions

Up to 10% of funds ring-fenced for eastern border regions

Extend cohesion investment to digital infrastructure, connectivity, civil preparedness, resilience and dual-use infrastructure

At least EUR 150 million in dedicated Interreg funding to compensate losses following the suspension of cooperation with Russia and Belarus

The Committee on Regional Development says EU cohesion policy support for eastern regions is a strategic investment in the security, resilience and future prosperity of the whole of the EU.

In a resolution adopted on Thursday with 23 votes in favour, 2 against and 6 abstentions, MEPs from the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) call for enhanced EU budget support for member states facing Russia’s military aggression, hybrid threats and geopolitical pressure at the EU’s eastern border.

A dedicated strategy for eastern border regions in the next MFF

The specific security, economic and demographic needs of the EU’s eastern flank region should be reflected in all relevant financial instruments of the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), MEPs say. They call for ring-fenced allocations across various EU financial instruments, amounting to up to 10% of the relevant instruments’ budgets, in addition to resources available under national and regional budget lines.

MEPs say there is a need for a dedicated top-up allocation for eastern border regions which considers their exposure to war-related, hybrid, demographic, economic, and security pressures. They also call for a separate co-financing mechanism for projects carried out in regions bearing particular geopolitical costs.

They demand greater flexibility in the implementation of cohesion programmes, including simplified procedures for programme amendments, adapted eligibility rules and extended implementation deadlines, where justified by geopolitical developments. A revision of state aid rules should also facilitate investment in the affected regions.

Strengthening cross-border cooperation

MEPs claim that the suspension of cross-border cooperation with Russia and Belarus left eastern border regions with a net loss of around EUR 150 million in territorial cooperation funding, which has not yet been compensated for. They call for a dedicated funding envelope under the EU’s next Interreg programmes, at a level at least equivalent to the funds lost. They also propose that the eastern flank be granted front-line priority status under the new Interreg-specific objective. For projects in these regions, co-financing should be possible up to 95%, rising to 100% for projects of particular significance for security, resilience or critical infrastructure.

Investments in security and resilience

MEPs highlight the growing hybrid threats affecting eastern border regions, including sabotage, cyber-attacks, disinformation, the instrumentalisation of migration, GPS jamming and spoofing, drone incursions, drifting sea mines, and attacks on critical infrastructure.

During negotiations on national and regional partnership plans (NRPP) for 2028–2034, the Commission and member states should enable these regions to invest in areas not normally covered by cohesion policy, MEPs say, including healthcare, roads, energy, sustainable maritime and digital infrastructure, connectivity, civil preparedness and resilience, and dual-use infrastructure.

At the same time, security and defence investments should not come at the expense of sustainable investment in the socio-economic development of eastern border regions, as reducing traditional cohesion investment could contribute to further depopulation, economic decline, and structural shortages.

Quote

“Today’s vote sends a clear message: Europe’s eastern border regions are not Europe’s periphery – they are Europe’s frontline. Recent Russian drone and missile attacks near the EU border, together with sabotage, cyberattacks and other hybrid threats, show how dramatically their reality has changed. Europe cannot ask these regions to carry this burden without giving them the means to respond. The next EU long-term budget must reflect this new reality and include dedicated funding for eastern border regions to strengthen their resilience, attract investment and secure their economic future” said the rapporteur, Jacek Protas (EPP, PL).

Next steps

The resolution will be tabled for a vote during plenary in November.

Background

Since the launch of Russia's war against Ukraine, regions in nine member states bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine – Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria – have been particularly affected by migration, economic and trade disruption, demographic decline, and heightened security risks. These war-related pressures have compounded long-standing structural weaknesses associated with their remote geographical location, resulting in slower growth, reduced investment, depopulation, labour shortages, and higher security costs.