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Territorial cohesion: a strategic imperative for a sustainable Europe

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 16438 | 23 June 2026

Signatories:
Mr Nuno FAZENDA, Portugal, SOC ; Ms Regina BASTOS, Portugal, EPP/CD ; Baroness Lyn BROWN, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Ricardo CARVALHO, Portugal, EPP/CD ; Ms Sena Nur ÇELİK KANAT, Türkiye, NR ; Mr Ricardo DIAS PINTO, Portugal, ECPA ; Ms Edite ESTRELA, Portugal, SOC ; Ms Patrícia FARO, Portugal, SOC ; Mr Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino, SOC ; Ms Gökçe GÖKÇEN, Türkiye, SOC ; Ms Saskia KLUIT, Netherlands, SOC ; Mr Christophe LACROIX, Belgium, SOC ; Ms Anne LAMBELIN, Belgium, SOC ; Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO, Spain, SOC ; Mr Fabian MOLINA, Switzerland, SOC ; Mr Paulo MONIZ, Portugal, EPP/CD ; Mr Perran MOON, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Sigurður Helgi PÁLMASON, Iceland, SOC ; Ms Agnes Sirkka PRAMMER, Austria, SOC ; Mr Ivan RAČAN, Croatia, SOC ; Mr Mike READER, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Carlos SILVA SANTIAGO, Portugal, EPP/CD ; Mr Georgios STAMATIS, Greece, EPP/CD ; Ms Susanna VELA, Andorra, SOC

Europe is facing growing territorial disparities that threaten social cohesion, equal opportunities and sustainable development. While some regions benefit from economic growth, investment and innovation, many rural, inland, mountainous, peripheral – in particular overseas territories – and former industrial areas continue to experience higher unemployment, weaker economic activity and reduced access to essential public services.

These imbalances create unequal living conditions across Europe. Citizens in disadvantaged territories often face fewer employment opportunities, limited access to healthcare and education, inadequate transport connections and insufficient digital infrastructure. Such disparities undermine confidence in public institutions and weaken territorial competitiveness.

Territorial cohesion is essential to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of where they live, can access opportunities, services and infrastructure and participate fully in economic and social life. Reducing territorial inequalities is therefore a prerequisite for a more resilient, inclusive and united Europe.

To strengthen territorial cohesion, member States should:

  • make territorial cohesion a key element of European and national policies;
  • increase investment in disadvantaged territories, particularly rural, inland, mountainous, overseas and former industrial regions;
  • promote employment, entrepreneurship, innovation and economic diversification in regions facing structural disadvantages;
  • ensure equitable access to essential public services, including healthcare, education, housing, transport and digital connectivity;
  • improve sustainable transports to strengthen territorial connectivity and reduce isolation;
  • introduce targeted support measures for disadvantaged territories, including differentiated fiscal incentives and reinforced funding mechanisms;
  • assess the territorial impact of major public policies to ensure that they contribute to reducing regional disparities.

A stronger and fairer Europe can only be achieved by ensuring balanced territorial development and by guaranteeing that no region is left behind.