Brussels, 08/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The cohesion policy requires proper financing and needs to be flexible to take account of the specific characteristics of the regions. Simplification and better monitoring of procedures is also required. As for the European Social Fund, it should still be covered by the regulation on the general measures for the cohesion policy funds, but have its own rules. This was the substance of two resolutions adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday 7 October, a month ahead of the publication of the European Commission's fifth report on cohesion policy. Draft legislation is expected in the summer of next year. Both resolutions will help feed the debate on long-term changes to the EU's budget.
On the EU's cohesion policy and regional policy post-2013 (resolution by Danuta Hübner,on behalf of the regional development committee), the MEPs are calling for a strong, properly funded regional policy with stronger cooperation among the regions and retaining GDP as the main criterion for deciding whether a region is eligible for EU regional policy funding. Further indicators taking account of the specific nature of cities and regions can be applied by national authorities. Particular attention should be paid to cities and to balancing the performance of the cohesion policy implementation system and financial monitoring of it.
After the vote, Danuta Hübner said: “The debate has shown overwhelming support of all political groups for a strong and well-funded cohesion policy. It is a policy for all regions of the European Union, but it does more for those regions that face the challenge of catching up. It is a policy that takes into account the post-crisis territorial reality, focused on addressing EU 2020 objectives, investing in innovation, resource efficiency, new sustainable jobs and infrastructure. Through its support for the resolution, the European Parliament has adopted a clear position on the cohesion policy in the context of the upcoming debate on the next multi-annual financial framework.”
On the future of the European Social Fund (ESF) (resolution by Pervenche Berès on behalf of the employment and social affairs committee), the MEPs say that the ESF is a key tool for the EU 2020 strategy and should be reinforced as a crucial instrument in tackling unemployment. It should also be used to improve lifelong education and training and combat poverty and social exclusion. The EP urges the Commission to boost the Structural Funds' potential by simplifying, facilitating and improving procedures, stressing the social integration dimension.
During the debate, Lambert Van Nistelrooij (EPP, the Netherlands) said that re-renationalising the cohesion policy was not a desirable move, and this was echoed for the PES by German MEP Constanze Krehl, who pointed out that the cohesion policy helps support the weakest regions, but solidarity goes two ways. She said regions need EU support but the EU also needs strong regions to reinforce infrastructure. The social component of the cohesion policy needs to be built upon, she added. On behalf of the Greens/EFA, German MEP Elisabeth Schroedter said that the resolution was the first time there had been a compromise on a big programme. The EP wants an independent cohesion policy, she explained, stating that not one EU region would be left out and poor people would not be abandoned to their fate. Vlasak Oldrich (ECR, Czech Republic) said that the cohesion policy should be a policy of priorities in the upcoming budget and should be simple, easy to understand, flexible and not burdened by red tape.
Jean-Paul Besset (Greens/EFA, France) said that regional cohesion policies aimed to improve people's living standards, and in order to assess them appropriately and better decide on where EU funding should be allocated, the EU needs social and environmental indicators alongside GDP. Economic growth can no longer be used as the only decision-making criterion, he explained. Csaba Öry (EPP, Hungary) said that when people think of the cohesion policy, then at the same time they should think of the budgetary policy and call for a bigger budget allocation. The main priority is job creation but there are still structural weaknesses. He said that in many regions, there is a lack of know-how and training. The ESF is the solution, he said, calling for small projects and flexible, structured initiatives.
Gabriele Zimmer (GUE/NGL, Germany) said the ESF should cover the whole of the EU in the future and it should be funded the same way as at present and account for at least 1% of GDP. Pascale Gruny (EPP, France) said that the resolution on the future of the ESF was a responsible, tangible document opening doors to the future. The ESF is the first budget instrument for jobs in Europe. Europe needs a social face and the ESF provides an opportunity to do so. The ESF needs clear, pragmatic rules that do not put people off and which are part of a strong EU cohesion policy, she added, stating that the resolution was a strong political message to the Commission, which is currently preparing a draft regulation in this domain for the summer of next year. The ESF needs its own rules and people need to be put back at the centre of the EU's concerns, she said. The ESF must continue, said Alejandro Cercas (PES, Spain), but it needs objectives, rules and budgets. The ESF should organise training programmes for workers because Europe's key resource is its people. Hence the need for a fund to train them, he explained. After the debates, Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn and Social Affairs Commissioner Lázsló Andor made it clear that they agree on the need to ensure a strong cohesion policy for the future and that within the cohesion policy, the ESF needs to be strong and visible. (G.B./transl.fl)