Brussels, 24/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - To encourage cohesion policy is to encourage structural policy. It is essential to use the European Social Fund (ESF) to combat unemployment, essentially youth unemployment, and place the ESF in synergy with other European funds. It is also essential for the competitiveness of the regions, and for providing aid to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which are major job providers. Also, one should not forget the important role to be played by the macro-regions, the towns and the municipalities. These were the main issues reflected upon during the joint discussion on cohesion policy held in Brussels on Thursday 23 June.
Speaking to Oldrich Vlasak (ECR, Czech Republic), Johannes Hahn affirmed that the towns and communes, together with energy efficiency, take pride of place in European objectives. The fight against poverty is in fact a fight against decrepitude in towns. Addressing Georgios Stavrakakis (S&D, Greece), the commissioner said it will be necessary to improve cooperation with those who are responsible for rural policy, and to be transparent when it comes to innovation. The important thing here is “excellence”, said Johannes Hahn, pointing out that over 30% of research funding is in more specific areas. Structural funds must be invested in research projects where excellence is required. Innovation and research are geared to SMEs, the focal point for job creation.
Speaking on behalf of the employment committee, Sergio Cofferati (S&D, Italian) said it was important for Europe to reaffirm its social commitment, improve the quality of work and strengthen the ESF. Veronica Lope Fontagné (EPP, Spain) was of the view that the ESF must focus on job creation and have sufficient resources, its aim being social inclusion and the elimination of poverty. The same opinion was expressed by Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D, Cyprus), who believes the ESF must be reinforced.
Anna Rosbach (EFD, Denmark), who spoke on behalf of the environment committee, said the towns have an essential role to play and one must prepare a future with “smarter and smarter cars”. José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, Portugal) underlined that simplification and greater flexibility of application of the various programmes are a feature of cohesion policy and that it is also necessary to promote transparency and exercise control over the execution of budgets, in real time.
It is very important to encourage cohesion policy to combat exclusion, said Tadeusz Cymanski (ECR, Poland) speaking for the women's rights committee. The ESF should draw attention to the poorest sections of society and citizens should take pride of place among priorities.
Erminia Mazzoni (EPP, Italy) said the report by Oldrich Vlasak does well to highlight the urban dimension of cohesion policy. She drew attention to the need not to neglect rural and suburban areas and considered that participation by local authorities in reflection and implementation of cohesion policies was inadequate. Constanze Angela Krehl (S&D, Germany) agreed with the report by Markus Pieper regarding the need to have a “modern” cohesion policy, make judicious use of funding and share the partnership principle. Ramona Manescu (ALDE, Romania) also took the view that a well-financed cohesion policy was needed. The ESF will provide added value to the cohesion fund, she said, going on to say that she backs the creation of an intermediary category of regions. It is necessary to give the regional dimension the place it deserves in this new financial map, the MEP said by way of conclusion. Philip Bradbourn (ECR, United Kingdom) argued that budgetary deficits should be reduced. Elisabeth Schroedter (S&D, Germany) said cohesion policy has European added value. For example, it can help to combat climate change and the social consequences of climate change. In her view, setting up an intermediary category of regions is “absolutely necessary”. Elie Hoarau (GUE/NGL, France) agreed that an intermediary category of regions should be created. John Burton (EFD, United Kingdom) said cohesion policy is not a gift from Brussels for the United Kingdom! Franz Obermayer (NA, Austria) underlined the fact that aid must reach the place where it is needed. Pervenche Berès (S&D, France) challenged the content of the paragraph in the Pieper report on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (GAF), saying the fund is not in its right place, which is within the “employment” not “regional” committee. She called for a separate vote on this point. Speaking on the urban agenda, Karima Delli (Greens/EFA, France) deplored the lack of any clear message in favour of structural fund management directly by local authorities. Danuta Hübner (EPP, Poland) said she hoped ex-ante conditionality would be linked to policies and projects without additional administrative surcharges. Finally, Jan Olbrycht (EPP, Poland) said cohesion policy must grow and strengthen development potential. (G.B./transl.jl)