Why it matters: This is not just another policy reflection. The piece carries weight because it is authored by a senior European Commission Vice President and a central Italian political figure. It offers a glimpse into how Brussels is rethinking cohesion, security and regional development in the shadow of war.
The big picture:
- The war in Ukraine has abruptly ended the era of open borders in much of Eastern and Northern Europe.
- Regions that once thrived on mobility, trade and cross-border integration now sit on the EU’s geopolitical fault line.
- The Italian politician argues these areas should no longer be treated as marginal or temporary emergencies, but as strategic spaces for Europe’s future.
What’s changed:
- Investment flows have slowed or stopped as security risks have increased.
- Local economies that depended on openness have been structurally disrupted.
- Border communities now face a double challenge: economic uncertainty and heightened security exposure.
Fitto’s argument: The EU Vice President calls for a shift in mindset. Instead of short-term compensation or emergency funds, Brussels should design long-term policies that combine cohesion, security and resilience.
- Infrastructure, innovation and territorial continuity become tools not just of development, but of strategic stability.
What he wrote:
- “The EU’s eastern border regions are not marginal peripheries; they are the first line of our stability and credibility. This is why they must be supported.”
- “These areas are not asking for emergency assistance, but for a perspective. A border that empties out weakens us all.”
- “Geopolitical uncertainty pushes young people to leave, forces families into difficult choices, and makes essential services more fragile.”
Between the lines: By grounding his reflections in direct engagement with border regions, the EU official signals a Commission approach that is increasingly geopolitical. Regional policy is no longer neutral—it is part of Europe’s security architecture.
Why this matters for Italy: The vision outlined aligns closely with Rome’s push to link cohesion policy, strategic autonomy and territorial resilience. Italy positions itself as both a contributor and a beneficiary of a more security-aware European development model.
The bottom line: Europe’s eastern borders are no longer Europe’s edge. As the EU Vice President makes clear, they are becoming a testing ground for how the Union balances security, solidarity and long-term growth in an era of permanent geopolitical stress.
