Brussels, 19/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - The regional development committee at the European Parliament is closely following preparations by member states for the new cohesion policy programming period (2014-2020). On 18 December, they adopted a draft non-legislative resolution recommending that the Commission provide assistance to countries that have fallen behind with their preparations, given that the reform has just been adopted and will be applied as of 1 January. MEPs affirmed that EU12 countries, those that most recently joined the EU, were further ahead than EU15 member states (countries that joined the EU much longer ago) in drawing up provisional versions of the partnership agreements and operational programmes. The rapporteur on the resolution, Derek Vaughan (S&D, United Kingdom), said that these partnerships and programmes are “crucial” for the preparation and implementation stages and that “regions with good relations with member states during all phases of the cohesion policy preparation and implementation are those that have succeeded to ensure that their interests and needs are addressed”. The resolution notes that changes of government and the large number of operational programmes to prepare are the reason why preparations have been delayed. (MD/transl.fl)