Brussels, 08/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - During September's plenary session, the European Economic and Social committee (EESC) adopted by a large majority and exploratory opinion requested by the Italian Presidency and the Union on "Economic and social cohesion: competitiveness of the regions, governance and co-operation" (rapporteur: Henri Malosse, Employers Group, France).
In this opinion, the EESC outlines an active support policy to competitiveness in the regions, focusing on less developed countries and territories (objective 1 of cohesion policy) with greater resources targeted on education/training, infrastructure and sustainable development, enterprise culture and SMEs, as well as the capacity of civil society organisations to mobilise local energies. It is calling for maintaining EU action to support these regions, which due to enlargement will statistically cease to be part of Objective 1, by targeting European support to these measures for helping enterprise culture and job creation. The EESC believes that the effects of enlargement and globalisation will mean that cohesion policy should promote more polycentric development and the Community area. Given the newt enlargement of the EU, the EESC believes that it will be necessary to extend the next Intereg programme but with new priorities and a considerable streamlining of methods for governance by radically simplifying procedures. Info: press@esc.eu.int