Representatives of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU met for the first time on Tuesday 19 February to discuss the modalities of negotiations to reach a partial agreement before the end of the legislature.
The European Parliament has adopted its position on the entire text (see EUROPE 12193), while the Member States have only agreed on programming and strategic planning, controls and management authorities (see EUROPE 12163).
One of the main points of disagreement will undoubtedly be the partnership agreements (which define the strategic guidelines for the programming of the Structural and Investment Funds), as the Member States have introduced derogations, when the amount of ERDF, CF and ESF+ resources for a Member State is lower than € 2.5 billion or when a Member State does not submit more than three programmes in the framework of investments for employment and growth. This would allow about ten Member States not to have partnerships, says a European source.
The next interinstitutional meetings are scheduled for Tuesday 26 February and Wednesday 6 March. An agreement could be reached – both parties hope – in three interinstitutional meetings. Once concluded, it could allow the competent authorities to make preparations. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)