Brussels, 21/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - As we announced, the European Commission has adopted three cross-border cooperation programmes that are to be financed under the Community Interreg III programme.
The cooperation programme between Austria and the Slovak Republic concerns the Austrian regions of Niederosterreich and Vienna and the Slovak regions of Bratislava and Trnava, and aims to boost cross-border economic development, as well as supporting spatial panning and environmental protection in the area. The total amount available up to 2006 is 52.50 million euro, 26.25 of which taken on board by the EU (Erdf), whereas 22.04 will come from national and regional budgets and 4.22 from the private sector. On the Slovak side, credits are available in the framework of the PHARE programme and its allocation in favour of cross-border co-operation (Phare CBC). The programme is to focus on five priorities: - stimulating cross-border economic co-operation (Community participation: 6.72 million); - reinforcing transport and information technology infrastructure (6.38 million); - cross-border co-operation and networking (2.52 million); - cross-border co-operation in the field of education and training in view of creating an integrated labour market (3.36 million); sustainable development at cross-border level regarding the environment and spatial planning (5.96 million).
The co-operation programme between Austria and the Czech Republic concerns the Austrian region of Nieder- and Oberosterreich, Vienna and its northern surrounding area and the Czech regions of Ceske Budejovicew, Jihlava and Brno. It has the same goals as the Austria/Slovak programme. The total amount available until 2006 is 51.80 million euro, 25.90 million of which taken on board by the Erdf, whereas 22.69 million will come from regional and national budgets and 3.21 million from the private sector. On the Czech side, credits are available from the Phare CBC. The programme is also focused around five priorities: intensification of cross-border economic co-operation (Community contribution, 7.62 million euro); - improving transport and telecommunications infrastructures (2.80 million); networking (3.11 million); - cross-border measures in the field education an training (3.55 mio); - sustainable development at cross-border level regarding the environment and space planing (7.53 mio).
The regional development programme for Sweden and Norway concerns cross-border co-operation in the southern half of the Swedish-Norwegian border. It will finance new cross-border networks, cross-border activities of companies, training courses, specific environmental related projects and the development of the Sami community. The total amount available up to 2006 is 111 million euro, 32 of which taken on board by the EU (Erdf), whereas 30 will come from public and private budgets in Sweden and 49 by Norway. The programme covers over two-thirds of the border between Sweden and Norway. It will support the following Swedish regions: Jamtland, Varmland, Dalarna and Vastra Gotaland. On the Norwegian side, it concerns the regions of Nord Trondelag, Sor Trondelag, Hedmark, Ostfold and Akerhus. On the basis of an analysis of the assets and weaknesses of the region, the authorities concerned decided on two priorities: economic growth and the development of skills, including support for the Sami community (Community contribution: 14 million euro); - living conditions and social development, including communications, the environment, health, the promotion of culture and regional identity (15 mio). The programme takes account six horizontal criteria: enhancing competitiveness, equal opportunities, integration, the environment, employment and the Sami language.