Brussels, 10/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 10 November, the European Commission adopted its 5th report on economic, social and territorial cohesion (see EUROPE 10251). The report is an essential element for review of the Union budget. It underlines the fact that future investment in cohesion policy should be closely aligned to the objectives of the EU 2020 strategy. The report proposes introducing much stricter conditions as well as incentives to ensure the effective use of the funds dedicated to cohesion policy and an increased focus on results. The report which was presented to the press by Commissioners Johannes Hahn (regional policy) and Lázsló Andor (employment, social affairs and inclusion), is the first to be adopted within the framework of the Lisbon Treaty, which has added territorial cohesion to the dual objective of economic and social cohesion.
The Commission points out that, if the EU wants to succeed, then all actors must contribute. It therefore proposes:
Firstly, a development and investment partnership contract between member states, the regions and the Commission, which will require that member states and regions concentrate EU and national resources on a small number of priorities responding to the specific challenges they face, and choosing a limited number of priority areas on a list corresponding to the priority objectives of EU 2020 strategy. Secondly, for each priority selected, member states and regions will have to set themselves clear and measureable targets to better evaluate progress. Thirdly, conditions and incentives must be introduced to strengthen the performance of the policy. Fourthly, disbursement of EU funding must be linked to specific reforms closely related to the areas of intervention of cohesion policy. And, lastly, part of the cohesion fund budget must be set aside in a performance reserve at EU level, which would be attributed during a mid-term review to those national or regional programmes that have contributed most to the EUROPE 2020 targets.
Another important avenue to reform of cohesion policy concerns its management and delivery system. For the Commission, there must be a move towards greater accountability and transparency of the shared management system. Member states and regions are best placed to manage the financial resources of cohesion policy. This is not only a matter of increasing ownership but also of financial effectiveness and, ultimately, a matter of subsidiarity. A smart, sustainable and anti-pollution urban policy is needed, as 70% of all European citizens live in an urban environment.
Publication of the report in question marks the beginning of a consultation exercise that will take place until 31 January 2011. The 5th forum on cohesion to be held in Brussels on 31 January and 1 February 2011 will provide a further opportunity for discussion on the guidelines and options set out in the report.
The Commission will present formal legislative proposals on future cohesion policy between now and summer 2011 after adoption of proposals relating to the new EU budget. (G.B./transl.jl)