Press Release: Commission strengthens cohesion policy in the enlarged European Union

The European Commission adopted on 14 July 2004 the legislative framework for the reform of cohesion policy for the period 2007-2013. The new framework proposes a more targeted and simplified approach for the implementation of the next generation of European national and regional development programmes. In accordance with the policy proposals adopted in February 2004 the aim of the programmes will be to boost competitiveness and growth in the enlarged European Union, with a proposed allocation totalling €336.3 billion over seven years, around one-third of the budgetary plans for the next period. The cohesion legislative package consists of a general regulation, together with regulations for each of the funding sources (European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Fund). The package is completed by an entirely new proposal creating the framework for a cross-border authority to manage co-operation programmes.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/regional_policy/debate/forum_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/regional_policy/debate/forum_en.htm

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/927&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/927&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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