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Conference on the preparation of Croatian regions for implementing the structural funds was held in Zagreb
27.05.2008, 09:07
A
conference entitled ''Preparing Croatia's regions for implementing the
Structural Funds: Opportunities and Challenges'' was held on 16 May in
Zagreb in the organization of the Delegation of the European Commission
to the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Regional Development,
Forestry and Water Management. It was emphasized at the conference that
it is the strengthening of administrative capacities at the national
and local levels, preparedness of institutions, comprehension and
implementation of appropriate procedures and quality of strategic
documents and developmental projects that is essential for efficient
management of EU funds, especially in the part relating to efficient
governance of regional policy.
In order to increase the absorption capacity of public administration it is crucial to provide the necessary assistance to Croatian counties, which is administered through the CARDS 2004 project „Assistance in strengthening the capacities for regional development". Having reminded that the European Union's regional policy is a policy of solidarity, the Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Croatia, Vincent Degert, pointed out three important elements in regional policy development: the commitment to regional planning at the local and national level, which is reflected in the existing strategic documents and regional development plans, along with the announcement of a regional development strategy. Furthermore, the adoption and implementation of other parts of the acquis communautaire is necessary, because in order to implement regional development, a transparent public procurement, market competition, environmental protection and financial control are needed. The third important element is the effective absorption of EU funds at all levels, which demands quality preparation and implementation of projects. Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Croatia Degert emphasized that it is necessary to follow the principles of European regional policy: multi-annual planning and partnership between the government and the business, that is, the non-governmental sector.
The experiences of Hungary and Slovenia in the preparation for structural funds were presented at the conference, as well as the experiences of Croatian counties in absorption of pre-accession funds.
Source: www.delhrv.ec.europa.eu