Remarks by Executive Vice-President Fitto on the Communication on Eastern border regions

Good morning and thank you for being here.

Today, the Commission presents a Communication on the EU's eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

Let me start with one very clear message:

These are not only national borders. They are European borders.

They are the eastern frontier of the European Union.

And what happens there concerns all European

The EU has more than 3,500 km of land borders with Russia and Belarus, and almost 1,500 km with Ukraine, plus 600 km bordering the maritime Black Sea basin also shared with Ukraine and Russia.

This Communication addresses the specific challenges faced by people and communities living in these regions.

For these regions, more than anywhere else in Europe, there is a clear before and after 24 February 2022.Since the start of Russia's war of aggression:

• • Places that were once built for normal daily life — for cross-border shopping and tourism — are now used for security, dual-use activities, logistics, drones and emergency support
  • trade patterns have shifted;
  • growth has slowed;
  • inflation has been higher;
  • depopulation pressures have intensified.

Many communities face a combination of higher insecurity, weaker economic activity and demographic decline.

Supporting these regions is therefore not only technical, but a political responsibility.

How the Communication was prepared

This is neither a starting point nor the end of a process, but an important political step.

It builds on a concrete and collective effort:

• • First, missions on the ground. I personally visited these Member States — not only their capitals, but also the border areas. Reaching these places is not easy, but it means truly understanding the reality faced by the communities living there. During each mission, I met citizens, local actors and those directly affected by the new security and economic situation.
  • Second, exchanges with national, regional and local authorities.
  • Third, stakeholder consultations held directly in the border regions, because this is the best way to understand real needs and not theoretical ones.
  • Fourth, a dedicated conference in Poland, bringing together ministers and regions concerned.
  • and also a very close cooperation across the Commission Cabinets.

The Communication is built with the territories, starting from their lived experience.

A clear message emerged: security and defence are a precondition, but regions also need investment, services, connectivity and economic prospects.

In short: they ask for the right to stay – the possibility to live and work where they belong.

What the EU has already done

With the mid-term review we have shown that cohesion policy can adapt to new needs, and the results I will present in the coming weeks will confirm this trend.

For the first time, cohesion resources have also been used — without controversy and on a voluntary basis — to support defence-related investments through dual use infrastructure such as transport networks and hospitals.

The mid-term review introduced priorities directly relevant for these regions: reallocating resources towards security and resilience, while respecting the nature of cohesion policy and using the dual-use approach.

All of this is voluntary and fully respects the specific characteristics and choices of each Mem er State.

The MTR also recognised the specific situation of those regions through:

• • higher pre-financing, and
  • higher co-financing rates.

Member States have already used this flexibility extensively, including for:

• • defence-related industries,
  • military mobility,
  • civil preparedness,
  • critical infrastructure and emergency shelters.

However, pressure continues to increase, and the situation continues to evolve.

Five priority areas for further action

The Communication therefore proposes action in five priority areas, combining cohesion policy with other EU tools:

First, security and resilience.
We aim to address persistent hybrid threats and security gaps, strengthen preparedness and resilience, protect critical infrastructure and improve military mobility.

Second, growth and regional prosperity.
These regions are often perceived as high-risk, making investment more difficult.

We therefore propose to establish EastInvest, a dedicated financing facility with the EIB Group, international financial institutions and national promotional banks. The aim is more accessible, coordinated and locally adapted financing, including for municipalities.

Third, leveraging local strengths.
These regions possess strong assets — industry, agriculture, forestry, research capacity, skills and natural resources. Our approach is not only about compensation; it is about turning resilience into opportunity through innovation, energy solutions, the bioeconomy and new value chains.

Fourth, connectivity.
Connectivity is essential for both security and growth. We will focus on transport, energy and digital links within the EU and, where relevant, with partners. At the local level, this means access to services, jobs and reliable digital infrastructure, including in rural areas.

Fifth, people.
Resilience depends on strong communities. We will support attractiveness through quality services, education and skills, healthcare and care services, support for young people and community preparedness. Ultimately, this is about safeguarding the right to stay.

Implementation approach

Across all five areas, the guiding principle is a place-based approach and multi-level governance.

Challenges differ between regions bordering Russia and Belarus and those bordering Ukraine.

Solutions must therefore be tailored, not one-size-fits-all.

The Commission will work closely with Member States, regions and municipalities, building on existing instruments and preparing for the future.

In conclusion we are sending one core message: these are not only national borders – they are European borders. They are the EU's eastern frontier, and what happens there concerns all Europeans.

Let me finish announcing that this work will be followed by a high-level conference on 26 February. I thank the President Von Der Leyen for accepting to open the high-level conference. Prime Ministers and Ministers from the Member States concerned will attend.

During the event, the declaration of intent to establish the EastInvest Facility will be signed by the participating financial institutions.

This Communication is not the end of the process. We will continue working with — and for — these regions.