Brussels, 11/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - Greece's progress is being closely monitored and it is reported to be doing well when it comes to absorption of EU Structural Fund monies. The quarterly report by the European Commission's Taskforce for Greece, published in December, shows that its absorption rate is faster than the EU average, and points out other cohesion achievements by Greece. EU Regional Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn is watching developments and will be travelling to the country shortly.
The Taskforce points out that Greek absorption of Structural Funds stood at 46.25% on 30 November 2012 (of the total of €20 billion allocated to it for the 2007-2013 financial programming period). This puts it above the EU average of 44.9% and is good for Greece because Structural Fund cash is one of its few remaining sources of investment.
There is a mixed report, however, for the 181 proejcts re-programmed by the European Commisson last year, which have now been given priority status. Seven have been concluded, a hundred or so are on schedule, but 64 have fallen behind. Five are reported to be in a critical condition and one has been dropped. The Commission is closely monitoring around half of the priority projects for Greece.
At the offices of Commissioner Hahn, progress is noted in improving Greece's administrative capability in order to ensure a greater knock-on effect for the EU's Cohesion Policy in the country. The Commissioner is paying close attention to this and hopes to visit all 13 regions of the country. He started last year with a visit to Thessalonica, and will be visiting two regions in February. In Brussels shortly, he will be holding meetings with the Greek regional affairs minister. (MD/transl.fl)