Press Release: Commission lays foundations to boost impact of cohesion investments after 2013

The European Commission adopted on the 6 October 2011 the legislative package for cohesion policy for the period from 2014 until 2020. The Commission argued that it was designed to boost growth and jobs across Europe by targeting EU investment on Europe's Growth and Jobs Agenda (Europe 2020).

The package included:

+ An overarching regulation setting out common rules governing the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). This will allow for the better combination of funds for a stronger impact of EU action.

+ Three specific regulations for the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund.

+ Two regulations dealing with the European territorial cooperation goal and the European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC).

+ Two regulations on the European Globalisation Fund (EGF) and the Programme for Social Change and Innovation.

+ A communication on the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF)

These proposals would be discussed by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, with a view to adoption by the end of 2012, to allow for the start of a new generation of cohesion policy programmes in 2014.

Negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework for the whole EU budget would continue in parallel. The Commission had already proposed to allocate €336 billion for cohesion policy instruments in 2014-2020.

The final allocations by Member State, and lists of eligible regions by category, will only be decided after the final adoption of the package launched on the 6 October 2011.

The Committee of the Regions (CoR) President Mercedes Bresso immediately opposed the Commission plans to suspend all EU regional development funds for countries that breach European deficit rules. Leading MEPs also expressed reservations concerning this dimension of the proposals.

At the same time, the CoR President welcomed reform proposals for EU regional policy that would help regions and cities to face globalisation and the environmental and demographic challenges ahead. Leading MEPs also expressed reservations concerning this dimension of the proposals.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Memo/11/663: Q&A on the legislative package of EU regional, employment and social policy for 2014-2020 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/663&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EurActiv, 12.10.11: Hahn defends proposal for regional aid 'sanctions' http://www.euractiv.com/regional-policy/hahn-defends-proposal-regional-aid-sanctions-news-508276

European Commission: DG Regional Policy: What we do: EU Cohesion Policy 2014-2020: legislative proposals http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/what/future/proposals_2014_2020_en.cfm

Committee of the Regions: Press Release: COR/11/45: Committee of the Regions President rejects EU plans to suspend regional aid for countries flouting deficit rules http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=COR/11/45&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EUObserver, 6.10.11: EU to link regional funds to strict deficit rules http://euobserver.com/886/113844

ESO: Background information: Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 http://www.europeansources.info/record/multiannual-financial-framework-2014-2020/

ESO: Background information: Regions throw fund reform proposals into doubt http://www.europeansources.info/record/regions-throw-fund-reform-proposals-into-doubt/

ESO: Background information: Netherlands: Indebted states must be made ‘wards’ of the commission or leave euro http://www.europeansources.info/record/netherlands-indebted-states-must-be-made-wards-of-the-commission-or-leave-euro/

EurActiv, 6.10.11: EU cohesion reform burdened by debt rules http://www.euractiv.com/regional-policy/eu-cohesion-reform-burdened-debt-news-508193

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