Riga, 09/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 9 June, ministers responsible for cohesion policy, speaking at an informal Cohesion Council meeting, highlighted the need to make European funds more results oriented. They also examined the progress made in the implementation of cohesion policy reforms and looked at the question of simplifying procedures.
Ministers from the member states, EU High Representatives and MEPs - Iskra Mihaylova (ALDE, Bulgaria), Andrea Cozzolino (S&D, Italy) and Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso (EPP, Spain) - therefore met up to discuss reforms in the new European Union Cohesion Policy. The meeting focused on three points: examining the progress made in implementing cohesion policy reforms for the 2014-2020 period; increasing administrative capacity and simplification; improving the use of financial instruments.
Jânis Reirs, the Latvian minister for finance, who also chaired the meeting, said: “Given that we are at the very beginning of the European funding programming period, it is of the highest importance to facilitate the success of results orientated investments”. According to the latter, ministers subsequently discussed the possibilities for more efficient use of the financial instruments available in the new 2014-2020 programming period, as well as expanding their use by adopting a more flexible approach to attract more private funds. He welcomed the fact that the planned use of funds had doubled in the new period that is beginning but also said that he was convinced that much more could be done through greater flexibility and adaptability. He highlighted the importance of increased cooperation between member states and the European Commission, particularly through simplification and the need for a common and coherent interpretation of the rules in force.
Corina Cretu, the European commissioner for regional policy, said: “Administrative obstacles are the main obstacles referred to by member states… But it is obvious that a balance needs to be found between simplification and zero tolerance towards fraud”.
On the basis of the Commission's legislative draft of October 2011, which entered into force in December 2013, Cohesion Policy has entered a period of thoroughgoing reform. Its objectives are based more on those of the EUROPE 2020 strategy on employment, research and development, the fight against climate change, education and the fight against poverty. (Pascal Hansens)