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CoR rapporteur presents cohesion opinion in European Parliament
07.06.2010, 17:05
Having unanimously adopted the outlook opinion prepared by Michael Schneider at its April plenary session, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the first EU body to present an official position on the future of cohesion policy. Addressing the members of the European Parliament, the CoR rapporteur reiterated the opinion's main request: "We jointly and insistently request the continuation of a strong and sustainable cohesion policy. A cohesion policy that has something to offer to all local and regional authorities. We believe that cohesion policy is more directly visible and comprehensible to citizens than any other EU policy, and has been an important stimulus for our societies and our economies."
Schneider, who is State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs in the German Land Saxony-Anhalt, warned against regarding cohesion policy as a mere vehicle to implement the new "Europe 2020" objectives: "In the future, cohesion policy must continue to be a separate policy as stated in the Lisbon Treaty. The proposed flagship initiatives in the Europe 2020 strategy must be supported by all levels of government, especially local and regional authorities."
The CoR outlook opinion on the future of cohesion
policy
The current EU budget is set until 2013, but
important
decisions determining eligibility rules and funding levels for the
future
European cohesion policy are expected within the next year. To outline
the
requests of Europe's regions and cities early on, the CoR started
working on an
outlook opinion in autumn 2009. Following a series of grassroots
consultations
with the associations representing Europe's regional and local
authorities and
intensive discussions in the CoR's Commission for territorial cohesion
(COTER),
the opinion was adopted in April 2010. It argues for an "evolution, not a
revolution" of cohesion policy. Its key points:
- Cohesion policy must evolve with the aim of continuing in the future to sustainably narrow development gaps, strengthen sustainable growth and employment in European regions, support social inclusion and competitiveness in all the Member States and regions, safeguard subsidiarity and ensure financial sustainability.
- Cohesion policy should continue to be applied to all of Europe's regions, focusing in particular on the regions in greatest need. The major share of available resources must continue to go to the neediest and most problem-ridden Member States and regions. Regions in transition need special support.
- The existing support for inter-regional cooperation has proved successful and should be continued and beefed up beyond 2013.
More information on the outlook opinion on the future of cohesion policy is available in the related press release.
Later this year, the Committee of the Regions will also publish its views on the European Commission's strategic report on the implementation of cohesion policy 2007-2013, drafted by Constantin Ostaficiuc (RO/EPP), President of Timiş County Council. The incoming Belgian EU Presidency has also asked the CoR to prepare an opinion on the role of cohesion policy in the implementation of the "Europe 2020" strategy.
Related links on cohesion policy:
- Interview with Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy
- Interview with Michael Schneider (DE/EPP), CoR rapporteur on the future of cohesion policy
- Interview with Michel Delebarre (FR/PES), Chairman of the CoR's Commission for territorial cohesion
- Interview with Flo Clucas (UK/ALDE), CoR rapporteur on the European Commission's Sixth progress report on economic and social cohesion
Johannes Hahn from Austria has been EU Commissioner for regional policy since February 2010. In an exclusive interview, he outlines his priorities for the coming years and explains how he intends to work together with the Committee of the Regions.
Source: www.cor.europa.eu