Brussels, 10/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - Following Malta's lead, Austria, Denmark, France, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom have now submitted their national strategic reference frameworks (NSRFs). The Portuguese strategic reference framework is expected next week. Malta was the first Member State to draw up, and have approved by the Commission, its national plan and priorities for 2007-2013 (see EUROPE 9333).
The Commission has asked the appropriate Hungarian authorities to provide further information on implementation measures on a number of points, including, for example, management authorities and intermediary agencies. Such requests for additional information are an essential part of the negotiation process between the Commission and member States, said Ana-Paula Laissy, spokeswoman for Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner. She added that the Commission expected to receive the remaining national programmes before the end of January. (gb)