Brussels, 22/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - At the end of September 2011, the Commission will propose a legislative package on cohesion policy. This 2014-20 package will include a general regulation and specific rules for each fund and for territorial co-operation. At the end of 2011, the Commission will follow up with the common strategic framework for all the structural funds. Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn made this announcement during a discussion with MEPs from the regional development committee, meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, 21 June.
This framework would make it possible to “define the funds' respective roles in translating the 2020 strategy aims into concrete investment aims”, explained Hahn, adding that he was working closely with research Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn to ensure that EU research and innovation policy contributes directly to the competitiveness of the regions and also benefits small and medium-sized enterprises.
Johannes Hahn also announced a new infrastructure fund but added that the resources required would not necessarily come from regional policy. Allocation decisions would, however, be made in close collaboration with the services of Commissioner Hahn, particularly in the area of Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T).
Hahn again defended the concept of “intermediate” regions (with a GDP of between 75% and 90% of the EU average). These regions should all get the same type of support, whether they are growing wealthier and hence are being phased out of the convergence (objective 2) group, or poorer. “This adjustment solution will not be engraved in stone”, Hahn reassured addressing certain MEPs worried that funding would be dissipated, “but we feel it is the most appropriate solution for 2014-2020”. He reiterated that no country or region would lose out. For debates on these questions, see EUROPE 10391/10389.
Last week, the Commissioner addressed the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to defend the future of cohesion policy. The EESC called on the commissioner to strengthen cohesion policy in an effort to realise the full potential of cohesion policy. Johannes Hahn declared that regional policy would remain an essential ingredient for smart growth as part of the EU 2020 strategy framework because it encourages the necessary development for making progress. He is also determined to simplify procedures in regional policy and to ensure its transparency in an effort to benefit SMEs and citizens.
The president of the EESC, Staffan Nilsson, warned against the double danger of neglecting the real forces in society located in rural zones and centring this policy exclusively on urban zones. (G.B.trans/fl)