During the Opening Session of the Open Days Mr Jerzy Zajakala, President of the European Alliance Group called for greater solidarity between Member States and the reduction of regional disparities. The President said that at the heart of cohesion Policy is the harmonious development of the whole territory. He pointed out that it is also very important to reduce the disparities within the regions. The President expressed his solidarity with local and regionalauthorities from the Member States affected by the crisis. In his opinion it is not a good period to introduce the macroeconomic conditionality. In this context he urged the Commission to change its approach. The Cohesion policy should continue to be an engine of growth and not a double punishment for those who have already the problems linked with the crisis – he added.