On 26-27 June 2017 Brussels hosted the 7Th Cohesion Forum, a large scale political event bringing together high level representatives from EU institutions, national governments, regional and local authorities. Speakers included President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat as well as EU Commissioners, national ministers and presidents of regions.

Participants highlighted the crucial importance of cohesion policy in promoting solidarity, convergence and investments across all EU regions. At the same time, different options have been discussed in the light of the scenarios outlined in the European Commission's White paper on the future of the EU, particularly regarding the need to fill gaps resulting from UK exit and to ensure an added value of EU policies.

Ms Marie Antoinette Maupertuis, member of the EA Group and of the Executive Council of the Corsica Regional authority took the floor during the Forum and called for future cohesion policy to particularly take into account the constraints of island and mountainous areas. She highlighted that "the future Cohesion policy should allow for greater combination between Structural and Investment Funds and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) so as to enable the financing of innovative projects and smart solutions supported by the use of ICT and targeting the management of infrastructures, natural resources and environment."