Brussels, 16/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - In spite of the resulting reservations from Italy and the Commission, the Council approved a third partial general approach on the legislative package reshaping cohesion policy. The ministers responsible subscribed to seven negotiation blocks at the end of their legislative deliberations during the General Affairs Council (GAC) in Luxembourg on Tuesday 16 October. Two blocks remain to be negotiated and approved before the end of the year.
While nothing is in the bag as long as everything remains unvalidated, the EU27 discussed the seven new negotiation blocks. This new partial general approach completes the two earlier ones (see EUROPE 10710). The blocks focus on territorial development, territorial cooperation, management and control, indicators, information, communication and technical assistance, financial questions which are not dealt with in the negotiations as part of the multi-annual financial framework, and specific recommendations per country. These last three sections, however, are the object of comments from member states and the European Commission.
Italy was the most virulent delegation with regard to the financial questions. It has reservations about the principle of additionality (which establishes that European funds must have an added value in relation to national investments). Italy considers that the Presidency text is a step backwards, because in the verification of criteria, regions in transition are exempted. Like the Commission, Rome considers that this will have an impact on the principle of “better spending”. European Commissioner for Development Johannes Hahn also expressed surprise that the principle of additionality has been weakened. He is not ready to accept a two-speed policy with binding rules for some countries and indulgent ones for others, he said. Italy admitted being isolated on the issue and insisted that a statement about this be added to the minutes of the GAC. Slovenia obtained from the Council an additional comment at the bottom of the page for the principle of additionality to be applied to it on a pro rata basis.
Hahn also reviewed the specific country recommendations, which the Council established as a main theme for cohesion priorities. He was keen to reassure the most sceptical - and doubtless the Parliament too which prefers the national reform programmes - by stating that the Commission's intention was not to change everything every year. The compromise also emphasises that the reference to the recommendations is relevant, and the Council also added a statement again putting the importance of this reference into perspective.
Lastly, the Baltic countries - particularly Lithuania - expressed reservations on the technical assistance. In general, a maximum of 4% of the funds must be allocated to this. The Presidency established an exception of 7% for cohesion funds, but these countries would like this to be increased to 10%. Hahn was also very clear on this subject not seeing the benefit of using very high amounts, rather than investing them in concrete projects in the taxpayer's interest.
Despite these reservations, the EU27 accepted the Presidency's compromise even if some delegations hope that certain subjects will be renegotiated during later discussions. The Council must indeed still set out a partial general direction on two blocks, the common strategic framework and financial management. (MD/transl.fl)