Brussels, 17/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has told EUROPE that it “does not intend to propose the amendment or deletion” of macro-economic conditionality applicable to European structural and investment funds (ESIF) but will make “careful” use of it. It believes that stability is a key element in the use of these funds.
The macro-economic conditionality clause, which was introduced in the last regulation on ESIF, allows the Commission to re-programme partnership agreements made with member states and to suspend associated payments as an incentive to implementing Council recommendations or to maximise impact on growth (see EUROPE 11285). In its communication to EUROPE, the Commission makes no comment on the possibility of suspension. It states, however, that partnership agreements agreed in 2014 and the programmes adopted in 2014 are in line with country-specific recommendations - “This will limit the need of possible reprogramming in the short term”.
In voting on this regulation in 2013, S&D Groups MEPs opposed this measure. Corina Cretu, the current regional policy commissioner, was among this group of MEPs. She raised the issue prior to her hearing with the European Parliament, writing to the Parliament's regional development committee: “The use of the Funds must be closely aligned with the economic challenges identified in the relevant CSRs. (…) I will ensure that if reprogramming is used it will be just to address new emerging economic and social challenges identified”. (Jean Comte)