Brussels, 23/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - To help vulnerable communities and groups segregated in the EU's least developed areas, member states should draw up territorial development strategies which harness local potential. This is what comes out of the report by Gabór Harangozó (PES, Hungary) on the impact of cohesion policy on the integration of vulnerable communities and groups, which was adopted by the European Parliament by 348 votes to 75, with 236 abstentions, in Strasbourg on 17 June. Since statistics used to compare whole regions sometimes hide huge wealth differences within the regions, the EP suggests putting in place indicators that would give disadvantaged groups greater visibility.
According to an EP press release, MEPs call on member states to draw up “holistic territorial development strategies” encompassing all policy areas and concentrating on the potential of all EU areas. Regional and local authorities, economic and social partners and NGOs should all be involved in planning and implementing these integrated development strategies, which should seek to develop infrastructure, foster development opportunities that draw on local potential, maintain services of general interest, offer training and job opportunities, improve housing and living conditions, and attract investors.
The EP also calls on the Commission and member states to produce comparable micro-regional statistical data, with special regard to social indicators such as the UN Human Development
Index. (G.B./transl.rt)