Brussels, 04/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - A study on implementation of cohesion policy for 2014-2020 was presented to MEPs on the EP's regional development committee (REGI) on Tuesday 4 November.
The study is the result of a lengthy and complex procedure for the adoption of partnership agreements in this connection (linking the European Commission to member states in the strategic investment of structural funds). Certain national authorities believe that the Commission has proved constructive over these past few months of preparation, whilst others, however, believe that there has been a lack of coherency in the respective exchanges carried out. The study highlights the complexity of operational programme management, which is the opposite of that sought in cohesion policy reform, particularly in smaller member states. Administrative capacity problems during the 2007-2013 programming period do not look like they are going to disappear any time soon (institutional instability, staff rotation, etc.) especially in Italy, Hungary, Greece, Bulgaria, Austria, Finland and Estonia. This administrative capacity is, however, the key to European structural funds succeeding and must be reinforced (submission of reports, performance framework, etc.). The study is therefore recommending that the European Parliament does indeed carry out its role to ensure scrutiny and call for explanations from the Commission and European ministers regarding administrative capacity and respect for the ex-ante conditions. The head of the EPP at the European Parliament, Lambert van Nistelrooij, from the Netherlands, has already expressed his intention to pose an oral question at the Commission during the next EP plenary session on the subject of the delayed implementation of cohesion policy and the accumulation of unpaid invoices. (MD)