The high-level group on the simplification of cohesion policy is proposing to introduce, subject to certain conditions, a simplified regulatory framework for a number of member states and regions for the next financing period. This proposal is contained in the recommendations presented by the Commissioner for the Budget, Günther Oettinger, Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Crețu, and the former Commissioner and Chairperson of the high-level group, Siim Kallas, on Tuesday 11 July.
In a reply to EUROPE regarding the reasons for strengthening national level responsibility, Commissioner Oettinger explained, “The quality of the member states’ administration has improved over recent years”. The Commissioner believes that the different administrations, particularly those in Eastern Europe, have made progress over the past 15 years in the management of European funds. Concentrating inspections and audits could therefore be carried out on the regions and member states where fraud is most evident, he explained.
Commissioner Crețu expressed a similar viewpoint and considers that there has to be more trust in the member states, whilst taking into account the level of national co-financing.
The authors of the recommendations point out that the aim of these recommendations is to significantly reduce European legislation and guidelines, which are 600 and 5,000 pages long respectively. To achieve this aim, the experts in the group are proposing a thoroughgoing simplification of the European regulatory framework by adopting a raft of common European level rules and by significantly reducing the number of them. European legislation would focus on the main principles contained in the points on strategic policies.
The Commissioner for Regional Policy did warn, however, that, “abolishing the rules (at European level) does not mean replacing them with national rules, if this were the case, we would never achieve our objective of simplifying the work of beneficiaries”.
The group of experts also wants to differentiate the follow-up and control framework and controls for programme implementation on the basis of certain criteria: the reliability of management and control systems; quality (this will be judged “empirically”, according to one source close to the dossier); a “significant” level of national co-financing that could be to the tune of 50%; the elaboration of a “solid” strategy setting out “key” structural reforms in agreement with the Commission; in addition to flagging up funds for areas limited to a “European menu”.
According to the recommendations, the member states that benefit from this simplified framework will in return have greater responsibility for ensuring respect for international auditing standards that distinguish between fraud and error. The Commission will concentrate on the reporting system for national reporting systems.
Ms Crețu is preparing to defend these proposals to member states. Judging by the ideas expressed by Mr Kallas, who said that he was anticipating “very serious discussions” given that the subject is “extremely political”, Ms Crețu’s task is not going to be an easy one.
In addition to the publication of this report, the working group will continue its work until the end of the year. It should be recalled that this group is behind another report on the simplification of cohesion policy as part of the current multiannual financial framework (see EUROPE 11633).
These recommendations for simplifications come at a strategic time - two weeks after the presentation by Mr Oettinger and Ms Crețu of the reflection document on the future of the Union’s finances. This document has forecast harsh cuts in the cohesion policy budget (see EUROPE 11820, 11818). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)