Brussels, 02/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CPMR) is fairly optimistic about the future of cohesion policy but does, however, admit that this policy could be used as an exchange currency, indeed an “adjustment variable” in the forthcoming budgetary wrangles, when the European Commission presents its proposals on the future of the multiannual financial framework in the next few months.
During a press meeting on Tuesday 1 February, CPMR President Jean-Yves Le Drian said that he was pleased with the debates that took place during the fifth Cohesion Forum in Brussels, (EUROPE 10306 for details). After listening to the speech by José Manuel Barroso, the president of the Commission, and the contributions made by some of the European ministers for regional policy, he said: “I get the impression that cohesion policy will not be under threat, even though, in an effort to protect other interests, certain states, such as the United Kingdom, may try and put it to the sword”. Other member states appear to wish to keep this policy, even though Germany has a number of reservations about it (it is not in favour of setting up intermediate regions). France is defending the common agricultural policy (CAP) tooth and nail and has not yet given its opinion on whether cohesion policy should be given less funding.
Cohesion policy is, nevertheless, often under attack, for the rate of errors that occur (illustrated by the European Court of Auditors) and the way in which the budget is used. Le Drian mentioned the holding of regular meetings (every six months) between the presidents of the regions and Commission officials, in an effort to see how projects progress. There are also national controls to check that funding is being spent appropriately, in addition to controls carried out by Commission staff. The president of the Brittany region stated: “I therefore believe that this kind of judgment should not take place”. Le Drian explained: “The regions will be able to achieve a significant mobilisation of funding for the end of 2013”.
He reminded Barroso that in relation to the fifth cohesion report and preparation for the future package, “we are the watchful guardians of cohesion policy… we have reached a certain number of significant points of agreement and there are also a number of questions”. Some of the reasons for a degree of satisfaction include “the principle (alluded to by Barroso) that the future generation of cohesion policy funding will be directed to all regions. We support a policy that aims to provide a catalyst for the potential of each different region. This point, which appears to be up for discussion, should no longer be one of contention”, explained Le Drian. In the context of a hierarchy of financial priorities “we support the development of intermediate regions, on condition that this remains within the competitiveness objective”.
The CPMR considers that the Commission announcement on a strategic framework bringing together a range of different problems and aiming to facilitate positive interaction between different regional funding and policies is interesting. It considers, however, that this will depend on the strategic framework being interpreted at a regional level as a genuine “regional pact” (which would be able to evaluate the appropriateness of using different EU sectoral funding and policies).
CPMR opposed to penalties. “Conditionality” was referred to on a number of occasions by certain Commission Directorates General. There would be, for example, a possible reduction in cohesion funds for regions in member states that infringed stability and growth pact rules. “We are most strongly against this idea and consider that the regions should not be taken hostage for any possible shortcomings committed by the governments of the states of which they are members”. Finally, the CPMR would like to maintain the European Social Fund within cohesion policy.
On the subject of maritime policy, he said that “I am not sure that a specific financial instrument is necessary outside the EFF but I am in favour of maritime issues being taken into account in policies”. The European commissioner for fisheries, Maria Damanaki, is planning on providing €50 million to EU integrated maritime policy between 2011 in 2013. This proposal, however, has created a number of reservations among members of the Council and European Parliament. (L.C./transl.fl)