Brussels, 09/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - Since the accession of Spain to the EU in 1986, the two autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish territories in North Africa, bordering on Morocco, have received major support from the European Cohesion Policy. European Commissioner designate responsible for Regional Policy Pawe³ Samecki will visit the two strategically important cities which mark the border between EU territory and North Africa from 9 to 11 September.
In Ceuta, on Wednesday, the commissioner met Juan Jesús Vivas Lara, President of the Regional Government and Regional Ministers, to discuss the future prospects for EU regional policy in the area. The Ceuta Regional Operational Programme was approved on 20 November 2007. The programme comes under the Convergence Objective co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the 2007-2013 period. The programme's total budget amounts to some €65.4 million, with €45.3 million of that from the ERDF. This sum includes a dedicated allocation of €27.5 million, agreed by member states, to address specific needs arising from Ceuta's particular geographical and economic circumstances. In accordance with the Lisbon Agenda, the main aim of the aid is to enhance regional competitiveness and to create and secure permanent jobs through economic growth. The programme will also help to build businesses' innovation capabilities and support the implementation of integrated urban development in Ceuta. Equal opportunities and social integration are also to be promoted, given the immigration pressure from surrounding North and Central African countries. The programme will also seek to boost the city's competiveness given its geographical and demographic features. Ceuta receives €17.6 million from the European Social Fund (ESF) to support job creation and help improve people's education and skills. On Thursday 10, Samecki will visit the Principe Alonso district, which is undertaking a number of initiatives, supported by EU regional policy, to tackle unemployment, child drug addiction, illiteracy and illegal immigration.
In the evening, Commissioner Samecki will travel on to Melilla where he will meet the president of its Regional Government, Juan José Imbroda Ortiz, and representatives of the regional authorities. Discussions will focus on the regional programme for the period 2007-2013 that was adopted by the Commission on 20 November 2007. The Operational Programme comes under the Convergence Objective. Its total budget is of the order of €63.5 million, with ERDF co-funding accounting for €43.7 million of this, to be used for innovation, research and development, transport, energy, urban and local infrastructure, and the environment. This includes a special allocation of €27.6 million granted by the member states. The region will also receive €14.2 million from the ESF in the 2007-2013 period.
On Friday 11, the commissioner will visit the site of Melilla's future Technology Centre, which will promote the use of information and communication technologies and, in particular, the development of under-sea optic fibre cables. (G.B./transl.rt)