Brussels, 10/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - In their joint work programme for the period January 2007 -June 2008, the German, Portuguese and Slovenian Presidencies of the EU say that “The new financing period for EU structural funds aimed at increasing prosperity by sustainable development, including economic growth and improvement of prospects for employment in the EU, will be inaugurated by an event with representatives of the regions on 9 May 2007”. The Presidencies will also initiate a debate “aimed at analysing and evaluating the preceding programming period in the light of the 4th Cohesion Report to be presented by the Commission in accordance with Article 159 of the Treaty”.
They also say that, in informal ministerial meetings on territorial cohesion, they will address “spatial development aiming at the mobilisation of the growth potential of European regions, in the light of the Lisbon and EU Sustainable Development Strategies, and a better use of the potential inherent in the territorial diversity of Europe”. They believe, too, that “an integrated urban policy, in accordance with the Community strategic guidelines on cohesion, is a prerequisite for sustainable cities and the implementation of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy”. In general “regional and urban policies should be dovetailed more with sectoral policies”.
With regard to the development of deprived urban areas, the Presidencies say in their joint programme that “the following strategies will be discussed: strategies for upgrading the physical environment; strengthening the local economy; integrating migrants into the local community; pursuing proactive policies on children, young people, education and training in deprived urban neighbourhoods”.
For the outermost regions, the three Presidencies will evaluate the “progress achieved in the implementation of the specific measures set out in the 2004 Commission Communication on a stronger partnership for the outermost regions”. They add that “revisions of certain legal acts concerning those territories will be made, such as the specific customs regime applicable to the Canary Islands and Fisheries Regulations”. (gb)