The Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) welcomed, in an analysis published on Friday 7 June, the introduction of Annex D attached to the country-by-country reports to guide investments from the structural and investment funds. But the organisation notes a series of shortcomings that could undermine the effectiveness of these investments.
"The introduction of Annex D is a good attempt to provide a territorial dimension to the European Semester”, the authors of the analysis are pleased to note, before highlighting its limits. "There are notable inconsistencies in the way CPMR core policy areas, specific types of territories and macroregional/sea-basin strategies are addressed", it says.
Thus, the study notes "significant" differences between the national reports, according to the different types of territories, as well as gaps in taking into account the territorial dimension according to the investment priorities related to the future Cohesion Policy 2021-2027.
In addition, the authors note that the Annex refers precisely to regions, but sometimes only to vague geographical areas. In addition, they regret the lack of consistency on the reference on the existing macroregional and sea-basis strategies, on which priority investments of the Cohesion Fund are aligned.
Since, for the CPMR, these defects of origin can have a real impact on the programming of Cohesion Policy for the next period. The Annex does not apply all the Policy Objectives to all Member States (in particular on priority 2, on environmental and climate issues). It is being developed with the help of the Member States, without the role of the regions being clearly identified. There is very little mention of cross-border projects, which could reduce the support received via the European Territorial Cooperation goal by the Member States involved. Finally, the study identifies "discordance" between investment priorities and the non-eligibility of specific investments (for example, there are recommendations on waste management while the ERDF regulation rules out the funding on facilities for the treatment of residual waste).
Annex D was presented last February together with the country-by-country reports and was used in the country-by-country recommendations (see EUROPE 12269/2).
To consult the CPMR's analysis: https://bit.ly/319itPo
To consult the country-by-country reports: https://bit.ly/2QXxxuP (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)