Brussels, 17/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - Ample conclusions on cohesion policy will be adopted by the General Affairs Council on Wednesday 19 November. They could give rise to a tricky debate among the ministers on this policy which takes a large slice of the European budget but proves divisive on how investments are made.
Conclusions. A clash between cohesion countries and net contributors is very possible during the debate accompanying adoption of detailed conclusions on the 6th cohesion policy report published by the European Commission in the summer. Approaches could differ on how the structural funds are to be invested and on how the new conditions brought in by the reform of cohesion policy are to be applied. The conclusions are still under discussion and certain points could prove difficult. A provisional version of the conclusions refers to the closer link between cohesion policy and the economic governance of the EU, and also mentions compliance with the ex-ante conditions and the country-specific recommendations. Ministers are expected, through these conclusions, to recommend speeding up the adoption of the partnership agreements and the operational programmes and to warn of the negative effect of delays.
Debate to be formalised. In addition, the conclusions are likely to call for a regular, formal debate on cohesion policy among ministers responsible for regional development to form part of the General Affairs Council. A more permanent exchange would mean that cohesion policy implementation and results could be discussed. This General Affairs Council and the expected debates provide a fine example of the usefulness of the exercise.
EUROPE 2020. An exchange of views will take place among the ministers on the mid-term review of the EUROPE 2020 strategy, due next year. The Italian Presidency will ask the delegations about how far 2020 objectives have been achieved thanks to cohesion policy investment and how to improve the effectiveness of policy measures in order to achieve the objectives. Ministers will also be asked for their views on the regular involvement of cohesion policy in the European semester.
Operational programmes. Lastly, the Commission will inform ministers of the state of play in the adoption of partnership agreements and operational programmes. Somewhat more heated exchanges could take place on the treatment of those programmes which will not be adopted by the end of the year. Ministers could also recommend that new Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Cretu speed up approval of programmes. (MD)