Copenhagen, 11/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 10 January, the European Investment Bank announced that JASPERS (Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions) will help Croatia to identify and prepare projects eligible for aid allocated under EU Structural Funds and the Pre-Accession Instrument (PAI). The terms and conditions of this assistance, requested by Croatia, were formalised in a Contribution Agreement between the Commission and the EIB that was signed on 22 December 2011.
EIB President Werner Hoyer commented: “The preparation of projects that meet the requirements for EU grant financing requires time and both the EIB and the Commission recognise the importance of preparing a pipeline of good quality projects well in advance of Croatia's full EU membership”. The objective of the assistance is to increase the quantity and quality of projects financed by the EU structural funds so that investment supported by the funds can be used more quickly and effectively.
In 2011 JASPERS began its work in Croatia, providing input for the preparation of infrastructure projects. The main focus is on environmental and transport projects but the support may cover projects in other areas, such as the knowledge economy and the fight against climate change. (CG/transl.fl)