Brussels, 20/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - Cyprus, Slovakia and the Baltic states have just joined the list of countries which have already signed a partnership agreement with the European Commission, establishing how they will spend the structural funds allocated to them for the period 2014-2020. Around 20 countries are still negotiating these agreements, which must all be signed by the end of the summer recess.
Following Germany, Poland, Greece and Denmark, five new countries have adopted, in conjunction with the European Commission, a strategy to make the best possible use of European funding. This is the first time these partnership agreements have been concluded, as the concept was brought in by the reform of the cohesion policy. This should also allow the taxpayers to rest assured that their money is being spent in the most effective possible way in the regions.
Cyprus aims to focus its total funding of €735.6 million (at current prices, including European Territorial Cooperation funding) as a priority on the tourism, energy, agri-food and urban development sectors, but also on transport infrastructure, health, the environment and ICT. European Commissioner for Regional Development Johannes Hahn said that the agreement “lays the foundations for the use of EU investments for the restructuring of the Cypriot economy, setting up a new growth model and helping Cyprus at this challenging time to exit from the crisis”.
As for Slovakia, where development has been supported by the EU cohesion policy since the country joined the EU, emphasis will be laid on investments to boost competitiveness, fight unemployment and promote growth whilst supporting innovation, the low-carbon economy and education and training. Rolling out broadband internet and greener urban rail transport are also on the agenda. A total of €14 billion will be available (at current prices, including European Territorial Cooperation funding) and, with this amount, Commissioner Hahn hopes to “go even further” than in the previous programming period.
Lastly, in the Baltic states, the agreement covers investments of €4.51 billion in Latvia, €6.82 billion in Lithuania and €3.59 billion in Estonia. In general in the region, the priority will go to improving economic productivity, promoting innovation and improving the transport system, the education system and public administration. José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, will meet the prime ministers of these three states on 21 June for the formal conclusion of these partnership agreements. (MD)