Brussels, 27/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - The third and last informal Regional Policy Councils of the French Presidency brought together Regional Development and Cohesion Policy Ministers in Marseilles on Wednesday 26 November for discussions on “Cohesion at the service of the regions” (se EUROPE 9791, 9790 and 9787). The meeting ending in further success: French Secretary of State for Regional Development Hubert Falco oversaw the unanimous vote to adopt a new stage of the territorial agenda.
In the declaration, ministers undertook: (1) to encourage consideration, from their inception, of the impact of European public policies on the regions; (2) to improve the link between these policies and the cohesion policy; (3) to increase the understanding of the effects on the regions of sectoral policies;
(4) to improve coordination of issues relating to territorial cohesion at national and European levels;
(5) to favour integrated development projects, on a coherent geographical basis;
(6) to this end, to continue the work on development policies for rural territories, the European sustainable development strategy, the Lisbon Strategy, and the European transport policy.
In the current climate of economic and financial crisis, Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner briefed ministers on Cohesion Policy matters that form part of the action plan adopted by the Commission on Wednesday 26 November (see related article). Ministers were, therefore, able to give their first reactions, a summary of which will be prepared by the French Presidency. The Presidency wanted this meeting to be the opportunity for a general mobilisation of the structural funds for dealing with the crisis. The French presidency also wished for this meeting to be the opportunity for a general mobilisation of the structural funds for dealing with the crisis. This objective was achieved: in adopting its restructuring plan this morning and presenting it in Marseilles, the Commission is proposing real advances in the cohesion policy. Hübner also announced in Marseilles that, next week, she would present some new proposals, including amending the eligibility rules for the structural funds to allow funding for spending on energy efficiency in the housing sector. At present, the Presidency noted, it is not possible to use European funds for this type of project. For further information on the Commissioner's proposals, see related article). Falco welcomed Hübner's proposal, adding that he would work towards getting it implemented quickly. This proposal would help support the construction industry while simultaneously supporting essential investments in adapting to climate change. Last but not least, by reducing citizens' energy spending, it would also increase their purchasing power, he stated.
To be successful in a globalised world, answers also have to be delivered on issues such as disparity between regions, natural and geographic handicaps, the negative impact of urban concentration and the widening gulf between rich and poor. Hübner presented the Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion adopted by the Commission on 6 October (see EUROPE 9755). A consultation exercise will be open until 28 February 2009 to which not only governments but also all territorial development players can respond. Hübner noted that the aim was to make full use of every region's assets so that they could contribute to Europe's competitiveness. (G.B./transl.rt)