Brussels, 26/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - The way in which Croatia will use funds worth almost €450 million, allocated to it as part of cohesion policy, satisfies the demands of the European Commission. On 26 August, the Commission stated that it approved Zagreb's investment plan.
As Croatia joined the EU on 1 July 2013, the country has since been able to benefit from the European Union's structural funds. A sum of €449.4 million has been granted it for the rest of the programming period. The sum must therefore be used by the end of the year (the projects started will have to be concluded by 2016). Nevertheless, Croatia has had to set out what the projects will be, and the priorities and objectives for which this European money will be used. This investment plan has received the approval of the Commission and the commissioner responsible, Johannes Hahn, who stated that “cohesion policy funds must be invested where most needed to strengthen the local economy, increase labour market participation and capitalise on the nation's assets, such as the preservation and promotion of natural resources to boost the tourism industry and business support to help SMEs thrive”.
The objectives set out by Croatia for the use of the funds are strengthening the competitive economy, establishing economic conditions for employment, and achieving balanced regional development. Strategic operational programmes will be established in the areas of the environment, transport, regional competitiveness and human resources.
The European money will be allocated as follows: €149.8 million from the Cohesion Fund (for waste and wastewater management); €228.4 million from the European Regional Development Fund (SMEs, research and innovation, and infrastructure); and €60 million from the European Social Fund (employment, social inclusion and education). (MD/transl.fl)