The French Minister for Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local and Regional Authorities, Jacqueline Gourault, acknowledged the delays in the programming of cohesion funds and the possible consequences for managing authorities, on Tuesday 25 January, during an exchange with MEPs of the Committee on Regional Development (REGI). However, she indicated that there are solutions to accelerate the absorption of funds.
“It must be recognised that the dynamics of absorption of funds has naturally been affected by the Covid-19 crisis. [...] These delays will of course be passed on to the managing authorities, who must at the same time absorb the measures under the recovery, notably REACT-EU, while preparing for the next period. This is an undeniable fact!”, said the minister, responding to MEPs, starting with committee chair Younous Omarjee (The Left, France) and Bulgarian Andrey Novakov (EPP, Bulgaria).
“However, one element gives us cause for optimism”, the Minister qualified, an optimism that lies in the full use of “the mechanisms put in place in the context of the crisis to consume these credits more quickly and simplify their implementation”. “I am thinking of the flexibility offered in the field of health, financial engineering to help SMEs and SMIs, and transitional provisions for state aid”, she said. For her, the objective is “to be ready by 31 December 2023”, the date marking the end of the eligibility period for the 2014-2020 Cohesion Fund.
On the partnership agreements, the Minister acknowledged a slightly longer delay compared to the previous budget and programming cycle, which itself was already facing delays. It will review the situation with the Member States and expects “reassuring news”.
Discussions also focused on the problems of articulation between the cohesion funds and the Next Generation EU Recovery Plan.
“It is up to each Member State to ensure an optimal solution”, the minister said. For her, there is “a remedy”: check that each programme is territorialised and targeted to irrigate the economies as quickly as possible.
Faced with fears that the future of cohesion policy would be clouded by these problems of delay and articulation with the new instruments, Ms Gourault assured that cohesion policy retained its full place on the European agenda, “today and tomorrow”. The regions remain the relevant level for implementing cohesion policy, she added.
“It is true, however, that more and more issues are arising at the sub-regional level, sometimes with strong disparities within regions themselves”, she added, indicating that the 8th Cohesion Policy Report will address this issue.
This landmark report, eagerly awaited in ‘Friends of Cohesion’ circles, will be presented on 4 February, according to our latest information.
For the Minister, “it is absolutely essential to reflect on the strengthening of the role of local authorities, not only to ensure that concrete projects are proposed in the face of ambition, but also to bring Europe closer to the ground”.
Cross-border mechanism and rural area
The Minister welcomed the European Parliament’s work on the cross-border mechanism, but recalled that the Commission, faced with the difficulties raised in the Council by the legislative dossier, had decided to withdraw the proposal in order to rework it.
“Naturally, if a new text proposal is made under the French Presidency, we will relaunch the work”, she added.
Referring to the preparation of a report on island regions by the European Parliament, the Minister urged MEPs to take up the issue of rural regions.
However, she did not respond to Younous Omarjee on the need to introduce a Climate Change Adjustment Fund. implementation of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and the Just Transition Fund were also not discussed. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)