As part of the debate on the future of post-2020 cohesion, the member states are planning to introduce differentiation within the implementation of the structural and investment funds (ESI). This was explained in the provisional conclusions approved by the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU on Wednesday 12 April.
They underline the necessity of reducing administrative costs when these are “disproportionate” in accordance with the proportionality principle. In this context, they highlight the possibility of “cautiously” exploring the introduction of differentiated implementation for the structural and investment programmes, “on the basis of objective and transparent criteria”.
The member states also emphasise the need to strike the “right balance” between focusing on the results and controlling implementation. They explain that audits should be proportionate, preventative and predictable and must take into account the results of the controls carried out by the national authorities.
The idea of differentiating ESI implementation, particularly within the audits and controls, is making progress within the European institutions. Recently, the vice president of the Commission in charge of economics, Jyrki Katainen, stated that differentiation constituted one of the key aspects of future cohesion policy (see EUROPE 11756).
Other crucial points highlighted by EUROPE, include the fact that the member states reject a “one size fits all” solution, which would not be optimal. For them, there must be a legal framework and interpretations that take into account the different regional situations that are necessary.
They also support the introduction of greater flexibility in the use of funds as a means to tackle new “challenges” and promote the emergence of innovative solutions.
The member states recognise that they have to do more, together with the Commission, for strengthening the visibility of cohesion policy and providing a “positive image”. They also point out that cohesion policy was in fact a “tangible manifestation” of the EU in the daily lives of European citizens. In this context, they are calling on the Commission to provide a breakdown of good communication practices.
They also call on the European Commission to present a proposal in 2018 for the future of cohesion policy after 2020, in an effort to provide sufficient time to co-legislators and facilitate swift implementation of future cohesion policy and avoid the delays currently being experienced in this policy area.
The member states will develop their final conclusions during the General Affairs Council on 25 April next. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)