• An overall coherence with the Europe 2020 strategy. This coherence however, must not, under any circumstances be contradictory to the primary function of cohesion policy, which is to contribute to the objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion;
• Maintaining the regional dimension at the core of cohesion policy;
• Stepping up conditionality related to cohesion policy for greater transparency and effectiveness;
• Governance of cohesion policy based on an integrated and contractualised approach that directly involves the Regions.

In terms of concrete proposals, the CPMR proposes maintaining the current architecture of cohesion policy, supplemented by:

• Substantial priority financial aid for Regions with a GDP below 75% of the EU27 average;
• Aid for all Regions whose GDP is higher than 75% of the EU average;
• Increased support for territorial cooperation, drawing especially on implementing multi-regional cross-border Operational Programmes, drafting macro-regional strategies in relation with the mainstream and strengthening an inter-regional cooperation instrument for more small-scale cooperation actions.

A single regional programming scheme could be implemented. It would include specific sub-regional and geographical characteristics and would take these properly into account by virtue of the principle of territorial cohesion, included as a complementary dimension to the regional dimension of cohesion policy.

Finally, the CPMR is fighting for the exclusion of any macro-economic conditionality, as proposed by the European Commission to strengthen the economic governance of the Union, since such a measure would eliminate the regional dimension and programme-based approach intrinsic to cohesion policy. Moreover, it would be counter-productive, since for the States and Regions concerned it would cut off part of the resources designed to re-establish a satisfactory macro-economic situation.