Brussels, 09/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - At a debate at the European Parliament's Regional Development Committee chaired by Gerardo Galeote (EPP-ED, Spain), EU Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hubner briefed MEPs on progress in the EU Cohesion Policy for 2007-2013, pointing out that adoption of the draft Commission regulation establishing application details for the Council Regulation on Structural Funds financing for 2007-2013 will be the last piece of the jigsaw. The draft regulation was submitted to the EP on 9 October and is being studied by the European Parliament's Regional Development Committee following consultation with the Member States at the end of September. MEPs had until Monday 6 November to react but did not report any reaction to the Commission but adoption of the regulation is included on the Commission's agenda for 6 December.
Danuta Hubner then discussed the upcoming meeting of EU regional policy ministers on 21 November, which will be focussing on innovation and competitiveness. She said innovation would play a major role in the next generation of Cohesion Policy programmes, taking the broadest meaning of the word innovation to cover support for SMEs, financial tools, human capital, communication and technological development with the aim of stimulating growth and employment. Jean-Marie Beaupuy (ALDE, France) wryly commented that innovation in the broad sense should not be used as a cover for a highly conservative programme.
In terms of the necessary collaboration between the Commission and European Parliament for implementation of the Cohesion Policy, Danuta Hubner highlighted the aim of the new code of conduct on the transferral of documents between DG Regional Policy, DG Employment and the relevant EP committees. The new arrangements would help establish, she said, an open flow of information and help the institutions establish a busy timetable and prepare for close cooperation over the next few months. She said 2007 would be a crucial year, with the challenge being to make the best use of this cooperation on the ground. Danuta Hubner described the particular situation facing the EU's Solidarity Fund. As shown in the European Commission's revised proposal, she said a new approach was needed to speed up and simplify the activation criteria for the Solidarity Fund and for it to cover measures over and above natural disasters. She said that she had had a personal interview with Finnish regional and municipal affairs minister, Hannes Manninnen, and Finnish prime minister Matti Vanhanen at the start of the Finnish Presidency to get the proposal on the Finnish Presidency's agenda. Rolf Berend (EPP-ED, Germany) said it was necessary to work hand in hand on the amended text and not wait for a Finnish miracle. It might be necessary to wait for the German Presidency, he said, while continuing to form a united front against the Council. (ym)