An increasingly turbulent world – some megatrends Jobs and growth Over 10 million jobs created Jan. 2013-Sept. 2016 in EU; but Risk of automation is real. Calculated high risk (6-12%) and medium-sized risk (42-55%) for jobs being substituted by machines; Weak growth in some parts of Europe; Poorer than their parents - first generation.

Demography By 1900, the world's population consisted of 25% Europeans; By 2060, only 5% of the world's population is European; By 2060, there will be two working persons per retired person, in 2013 there were four; By 2050, Africa's population has been doubled.

Geopolitical instability Source: Verisk Maplecroft Global Risk Index Joint Europol-Interpol Report, May 2016

Europe: Shaping the future – Starting from a strong base 15 of the 25 most peaceful countries are EU Member States EU is the world's largest trading block EU spoke with one voice in Paris Source: Institute for Economics and Peace 2016

Challenges EU needs to demonstrate it is ready to meet the concerns of the citizens Contribute to sustainable development Climate change Rapid change in technology Globalisation Aging population

Cohesion Policy Dialogue and confidence between EU and regions Concrete expression of European solidarity at regional level EU-project in action - Interreg!

Interreg What is Interreg best at? Are the current thematic objectives satisfactory or should new ones be considered? Geography matters: complex programme architecture along internal and external borders – Scope for improvement? Co-operation cross-cutting feature of many EU policies, supported by various programmes and instruments Role of Interreg? Simplification-most urgent measures needed?

Thank you!