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Assembly of European Regions

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You are here: Home / Archives for Cohesion policy

AER Task Force on Cohesion Policy

New EU Reform Treaty in Line with AER Position

26 June, 2007 By Editor

The outcome of the European Council held on 22-23 June is fully in line with the position taken by the Assembly of European Regions (AER), and presented to the German Presidency in February this year. The AER called on EU Member States to set up an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) as soon as possible and to ensure that the European Parliament was properly represented in its work.

At its Brussels summit, the European Council decided that the concept of the European Constitution would be replaced by a new ‘Reform Treaty’. All references to the term ‘Constitution’ and to signs and symbols of the European Union, will be removed. The Reform Treaty will amend and not replace the old Treaties, and will consist of two parts. The first part will be the existing Treaty on European Union, otherwise known as the Maastricht Treaty, which basically corresponds to Parts I and IV of the Constitutional Treaty. The second part of the Reform Treaty will be a Treaty on the Functioning of the Union; this will be an amended version of the Treaty establishing the European Community (otherwise known as the Treaty of Rome), which is comparable to Part III of the Constitutional Treaty. The Intergovernmental Conference, which is due to begin its work in July, will have responsibility for agreeing the amendments to these two treaties, and will take into account most of the provisions agreed under the Constitutional Treaty. Both newly amended treaties have the same legal status and will enter into force at the same time.

The European Council agreed the framework for the negotiations that will take place in the intergovernmental conference, setting out which items of the Constitutional Treaty will be maintained, and which ones will be reformed or dropped. The Council agreed that new Reform Treaty will safeguard the key gains for the regions that the AER had been successful in securing in the Constitutional Treaty. These include the recognition of regional identities, the principle of territorial cohesion and the right of the Committee of the Regions to take the Commission to the European Court of Justice, if the principle of subsidiarity is deemed to have been breached. In some areas, these gains have even been extended further. For example, there will be a new article in the Reform Treaty that will give national parliaments eight weeks to raise objections to a draft law on the grounds that subsidiarity has been breached; this will be advantageous to regions which compose the second chambers of national parliaments, such as the German Länder.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights (Part II of the Constitutional Treaty) will be published as an annex to the treaties. It will have a cross-reference in the reformed Treaty on European Union, which will mean that it is legally binding. However, the United Kingdom has achieved a Protocol which basically allows it to opt out of the Charter. Poland also made a unilateral declaration that seeks to prevent the Charter being used to influence national legislation in public morality or family law.

The agreement on the Reform Treaty will allow the European Union to move forward with confidence and to reform its decision-making procedures. It will allow the EU to confidently address the challenges facing Europe and its regions, such as climate change. The new Treaty will in fact add the fight against climate change to the objectives of environmental policy. New possibilities are also opened up to bring forward action in areas such as energy security, civil protection and public health, and progress is made on common action on terrorism, asylum, migration and human trafficking.

The European Council agreed to retain the provisions on democratic participation, such as the citizens initiative, which allows citizens to request the EU to develop legislation. However, this alone will not be enough to engage citizens in the work of the European Union and to overcome the scepticism which currently surrounds the European project. It is important to ensure that the European Union takes the citizens with it in this reform process. Even if countries chose not to go ahead with the referenda that they had planned to hold on the Constitutional Treaty, there must be a proper flow of information to citizens about the Reform Treaty during the ratification period, which is expected to last until mid-2009, when the Treaty will enter into force. The Council gave the European Parliament an unprecedented 3 representatives in the Intergovernmental Conference, which will also help to ensure that the views of the citizens are not forgotten in the negotiations; the AER will endeavour to work closely with these Parliamentarians. It is imperative that citizens are not given the impression that their views no longer count, as this will only increase the distance between the European Union and the citizens. The AER is ready and willing to equip its member regions with the skills and the information necessary to ensure that their citizens are fully engaged in the debate on the future of Europe.

For more information: [email protected]

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EU Structural Funds: 150 Regional Representatives gather in Strasbourg

15 June, 2007 By Editor

INTERREG IVC: hidden behind this abstract expression is an EU programme dedicated to financing concrete regional initiatives throughout Europe for the well-being of their citizens. How many people living in Alsace-F or Baden-Württemberg-D know that the pedestrian bridge linking Strasbourg and Kehl was an Interreg-funded project? Such examples are abundant in Europe and illustrate how the regions use European funds in practice.

Before achieving such outcomes, however, we first need to have ideas, mount project proposals and find partners. It is in this spirit that 150 local and regional actors from 75 regions and 18 countries, met today in Strasbourg for a partnership fair organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and the Alsace Region. Here are some practical examples of the project proposals that were presented:

“More” Project: The 75 signatory regions of the “Declaration* of the European Regions on energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources” are committed to specific objectives and action plans. This project will now measure the progress towards achieving these, by way of a common IT-based evaluation tool. This project showcases the regions’ will to anticipate their citizens’ wishes, who are clearly in favour of clean and renewable energies.

Preventing Floods: Floods, a challenge common to many European regions, can be avoided, for example by the maintenance of river beds which will lead to better management of flood zones next to rivers and lakes. It is essential not only to respond very quickly in case of a flood, but also – and most importantly!- to take as many prevention measures as possible. Regions built networks for developing common contingency plans and communication tools and pooling their resources.

Cultural heritage Network: the diversity of cultural heritage is under threat of extinction, due to a lack of expertise and resources. A region’s image is closely linked to its cultural heritage, which in turn nurtures a feeling of pride and belonging among its citizens. 12 regions built a network to identify and exchange innovative strategies for preserving their cultural heritage, traditions and identity.

By the end of the day, some fifteen projects were developed. The participating regions are now ready to respond to the upcoming EU call for proposals in September, for a programme which will amount to 321 million Euros for 2007-2013.

For more information: [email protected]

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Make Regional Policy happen! AER Major ‘Seminar & Partnership Fair’ on Interreg IV C Opportunities

30 May, 2007 By Editor

 

Building up on the former ‘Centurio Interreg IIIC’ project, which -with 50 partners- quickly became the biggest project of the ‘Interreg IIIC West Zone’, the AER invites all member regions to take part to the:

‘AER SEMINAR AND PARTNERSHIP FAIR:
Getting Ready for the INTERREG IVC call for projects!’

The event will take place on Thursday 14th June in Strasbourg (Alsace-F)

During this one-day event, you will receive detailed insight on the Interreg IVC programme: what are its priorities (in particular what kind of projects are most likely to receive co-financing) and how does it work (preview of the application form, expected timetable and procedure for submitting applications).

The Partnership Fair that will follow the Seminar will offer you a unique opportunity to present your ideas for cooperation projects and to meet and discuss with potential partners.
All the key AER work areas will be covered at the fair: Among them: Energy (wood fuel, energy efficiency), Environmental Protection, Sustainable Tourism (pan-European eco-tourism route), Risk Prevention, Cultural Heritage.

For more information: [email protected]

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European Constitutional Treaty: Regions need to be involved in the negotiations!

14 May, 2007 By Editor

Diplomats from the 27 EU countries are meeting tomorrow in Berlin, in order to make some progress in the talks on the European Constitution. This meeting follows last Saturday’s ‘Sintra summit’.

The negotiations on the European Constitutional Treaty will now enter a new phase, in view of the June European Council. The Assembly of European Regions (AER), the political organisation of more than 250 regions Europe-wide, has got two messages for the European political leaders and diplomats:

  • we ask the EU political leaders to involve regional representatives in the talks on the future Constitutional Treaty. The EU is also a ‘Europe of the regions’. It is in the regions that the majority of directives and regulations are implemented. Regions know best what Europe really means. Past experience shows that when the regions have not been involved in the European political process, failure has been the outcome: the ‘Lisbon Agenda’ is a clear example of that.
  • if a new Intergovernmental Conference is opened next autumn, the EU members should find an agreement only on a minimum number of necessary amendments to the Constitutional Treaty. On top of that, those provisions which reinforce subsidiarity and the involvement of the regions in the EU policies should not be touched.

For more information: [email protected]

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Cohesion Policy in Europe: Regions’ reaction

2 April, 2007 By Editor

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) welcomes today’s announcement by Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner on the preparations for the new cohesion policy period (2007-2013).

The AER appreciates the European Commission’s commitment to start the programmes on the ground as soon as possible. It is also important that Member States have been able to prepare their National Strategic Frameworks on time.

The AER is also extremely pleased to see that a focus has been put on renewable energies and energy efficiency, two issues in which the regions are strongly engaged.

At the same time…

The AER hopes that the Regions’ needs, experience and expectations are fully taken into account in these Programmes.

The AER asks for a quick start to the programmes: implementation should reflect the lessons learned and the experiences gained by the Regions during the previous programming periods.

The AER will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the cohesion programmes in the Regions, and calls for a strict implementation of the principle of additionality (i.e. the inclusion of a national co-financing in addition to the EU funding), in order to make the most of these programmes.

For more information: [email protected]

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3 weeks after accession 6 Romanian Counties meet with Commissioner Hübner

22 January, 2007 By Editor

Brussels (B), 22 January 2007

Three weeks after Romania became a EU member, Presidents from Romanian Counties met Commissioner Hübner today in Brussels, in a meeting organised with the help of the Assembly of European Regions (AER). Topics discussed were focused on the management of structural funds :
–    rapid availability of funds to assure that projects can be quickly implemented
–    best possible preparation of the administration in the counties to deal with issues related to structural funds
–    how to overcome a too strong centralisation in the management of the funds

The Presidents asked the Commissioner as well what her proposal for the organisation of regions in Romania would be. Commissoner Hübner explained that it was up to the people in Romania to decide on that issue. « However, there would be good examples from other regions like Spain or Poland that strong regional structures lead to prosperity », said Mr. Klipp, Secretary General of the AER.
The Presidents, no matter which political party they belonged to, clearly expressed their wish to have strong regions on the basis of NUTS 2 regions with elected assemblies, sufficient resources, and organised in agreement with the politicians from the counties.

The Presidents of the Counties committed themselves to do their best to prepare their own administration in the best possible way to use the funds in a transparent manner and according to EC-regulations. It was agreed that together with the European Commission the AER and the Romanian Counties would organise common trainings in line with the already existing AER programmes for exchange of experiences. Commissoner Hübner ended by saying: « We are here to help as much as you need us. I encourage you also to learn from others. The AER provides the regions with the perspective of a Europe-wide co-operation which I really appreciate. »

Participants in the meeting were: President Martin Bottesch (Sibiu), President Janós Demeter (Covasna), Vice-President Dan Coriolan Simedru (Alba), President Levente Zoltán Bunta (Harghita), Vice-President Vasile Mihail Butaru (Brasov) and President Edita Emöke Lokodi (Mures) as well as Secretary General of the AER Klaus Klipp.

The Assembly of European Regions/AER is the political organisation of the Regions in Europe and their spokesperson at European and international level. Its vocation is to defend the Regions’ interests in the political process and develop interregional cooperation. The AER brings together 250 Regions from 32 European Countries and 14 interregional organisations.

For more information: [email protected]

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The AER and Commissioner Hübner agree on opening a wide debate on the future of interregional cooperation

3 April, 2006 By Editor

 


‘Interregional cooperation is essential for the future of cohesion policy. We of course regret the discontinuation of the INTERREG label and the significant reduction in the support granted to interregional cooperation, but we wish more than ever to move forward. We therefore propose that all stakeholders meet to put forward innovative proposals on how the European Union can support and promote this cooperation, on the basis of a flexible and bottom-up approach’. These are the words addressed today by Adrien Zeller, Vice-President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and President of the Regional Council of Alsace-F, to Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, in presence of Jean-Paul Heider, Vice-President of the Regional Council of Alsace. Commissioner Hübner agreed and regretted the limited role granted to interregional cooperation, and declared she was open to discussion in order to improve the situation. Mr Zeller and Mrs Hübner both said that “if the money is correctly used, interregional cooperation is a marvellous tool for regional development and therefore, for the future of Europe”.

The AER also mentioned the coordination between the Lisbon Strategy and cohesion policy. It welcomes the efforts already made to strengthen the links between R&D and cohesion policy. But one should not forget rural areas and their inclusion in the frame of the ‘Competitiveness and Employment’ Objective. Answering to this concern, Commissioner Hübner clearly underlined that innovation is not limited to high technologies. “We approve these statements and we will follow these developments and opportunities for our rural regions” said Klaus Klipp, Secretary General of the AER.

The AER Vice-President proposed Commissioner Hübner that the globalisation fund related to delocalisation risks should be managed through the ERDF system instead of the national level. “Such a decision would show the will of the Union to go towards more democracy and transparency” said Adrien Zeller.

Klaus Klipp gave the following final message to Commissioner Hübner: ‘The AER calls on the European Commission to continue its efforts for a more complete implementation of the partnership principle. Regional policy is the area in which it is most evident to apply the subsidiarity principle. Decisions should be taken as close as possible to the citizens and not by transferring the entirety of the EU’s competencies to central governments, without guaranteeing partnership with sub-national authorities. The final aim is to make Europe more and more favourable to the citizens and their daily lives. Therefore, we equally call on Member States to continue the process of decentralising the management of the structural funds, in order to achieve greater efficiency and to encourage project leaders,’ he concluded the meeting.

For more information: [email protected]

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The Alsace Region: An example of structural funds management

3 April, 2006 By Editor

 

Efficient and successful decentralisation

Despite, or rather due to our concerns over the future of cohesion policy and the difficulties in managing the structural funds, we are determined to use our experience and know-how to Europe’s advantage.’ This is the constructive spirit in which Adrien Zeller, Vice-President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and President of the Regional Council of Alsace-F, and Jean-Paul Heider, Vice-President of the Regional Council of Alsace, addressed Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy.

Mr Zeller has presented the outcome of the Alsace experimentation of responsibility transfer in the management of Objective 2 Community programmes for 2000-2006. He stressed that this management has distinctly improved since it has been decentralised. ‘We are glad to announce that the Alsace Region has globally reached all its objectives. Our Region is now well-prepared for the new Operational Programmes and we have already created dynamic partnerships with several neighbouring Regions, which will prove very useful in the development of our projects. We are ready to take the lead on the next programming period’ he concluded. Klaus Klipp, AER Secretary General, added: ‘Alsace can be considered as an example for all European Regions who call for more decentralisation. The AER commits to support all these regions and thereby contribute to make the management of forthcoming Community programmes more efficient.’

In spite of this positive conclusion, some problems remain. That is why the AER has presented a series of 10 points to Commissioner Hübner dedicated to improve the management of structural funds. The Alsace Region’s experience as the Managing authority for two EU programmes, i.e. “INTERREG III A Rhin Supérieur Centre-Sud” and Objective 2, was taken as an example to explain to Mrs Commissioner Hübner the difficulties that exist in terms of delayed payments, monitoring systems, administrative burdens and coordination between the different services within the European Commission. Mrs Hübner then said to commit herself to enhance the good relationship between DG Regio and European Regions in order to smoothen all these difficulties and maximise the efficiency of structural funds

For more information: [email protected]

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‘Europe is on standby- we must adopt the budget now’ the AER warns the European Union

5 October, 2005 By Editor

 


Poznan, Wielkopolska (PL), 5 October 2005

To give Europe a chance to overcome its difficulties, the European Union has to adopt the budget 2007-2013 as soon as possible.’ This is the message sent to the European Council by the Bureau of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), meeting today in Poznan, Wielkopolska-Poland.

European Budget for 2007-2013
The AER strongly affirms that the priority is to adopt a budget immediately and regrets that this point doesn’t appear on the agenda of the next informal summit meeting between Heads of State (27th-28th October). ‘We cannot wait until the Austrian Presidency – 1st semester 2006 – for its adoption. The process after adoption will take time, as the States will have to determine the distribution of the budget before the finances become operational. National governments must now face their responsibilities: either to give a new input to Europe or to condemn it to years of economic and political stagnation,’ stressed Riccardo Illy, President of the AER and President of Friuli Venezia Giulia-Italy. Stefan Miko∏ajczak, President of the Wielkopolska Region, underlined that ‘this budget must take into account that the European Union has grown to 25 members. It must adequately respond to the needs of the enlarged Union in terms of economic, social and territorial cohesion and to the priorities of the Lisbon Strategy.’

The European Social Model
Very concerned by this major issue, the AER Bureau today launched a wide-ranging debate on the Regions’ perspective for the Future of the European Social Model in view of the AER Conference in ‘S-Hertogenbosch, Noord Brabant-NL, on 13th-14th October 2005. Its goal is to draw up a charter of rights guaranteed for the citizens, outlining minimum standards in health and social services and the regions’ commitment to social cohesion as an important element for economic growth. The AER will closely follow the outcomes of the European informal Council summit and the Tripartite Social summit at the end of October.

The AER Bureau has taken the opportunity of meeting in Poland to encourage the new Polish government to further regionalisation in the country. ‘In today’s world it is essential to think global and act local’, stressed Riccardo Illy. ‘Regions are the right place to observe what happens at international and European levels and to respond to the challenges for the benefit of their citizens. Regions with legislative powers have a competitive advantage in this respect’ he added. The AER Bureau has also assured the regions from the new Member states that it will continue to work with the relevant services of the European Commission to reduce the administrative burden of the implementation of the structural funds.

For more information: [email protected]

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What a future for the cohesion policy in a new Europe without a European budget for 2007-2013?

26 September, 2005 By Editor

The Political Bureau of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) will hold its next meeting on the 6th October in Poznan (Wielkopolska-PL). Two European issues under the current debate are on the top of this meeting’s agenda:

– financial perspectives 2007-2013 and the future of the EU cohesion policy in a new Europe, in view of the Informal Meeting of Heads of State/Government on 27th and 28th October in Surrey (UK) devoted, among others, to the debate on how to maintain and strengthen social justice and competitiveness in the context of globalization,

– the European Social Model and the implications for the regions, in view of the EU Social Summit in London, on 24th October.

Two years after the General Meeting of the European Regions in Poznan (November 2003), the AER Bureau chose to meet in this city to discuss the preparation of the General Meeting 2005 which will take place on 24th and 25th November in Strasbourg (Alsace-F) on the theme ‘Innovation and the role of the regions in the European project’.

Riccardo Illy, the AER President and President of the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia (I), and Stefan Mikolajczak, President of the Wielkopolska Region will give the press conference on 6th October at 10.30 in “PAN” conference centre at the Polish Academy of Science, Osrodek Nauki PAN, ul.Wieniawskiego 17/19 61-704 Poznan, (PL).

For more information: [email protected]

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Reforming State Aid – The European Regions say ‘yes’

11 September, 2005 By Editor


“So long as this reform supports the objectives of economic, social and territorial cohesion”, stated President Illy

Trieste, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (I), 11 September 2005

Presidium of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), meeting today in Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia (I), has declared itself overall in favour of the European Commission’s proposed ‘State Aid Action Plan’.

‘We share the opinion of the European Commission and of the Member States that the reform of national aid policies, both in terms of scope and procedures, is necessary in order to better meet the challenges of competitiveness and cohesion. We also feel that this reform must consider the increasingly important role of public-private partnerships. The AER supports the Commission in its attempt to simplify and rationalise State Aid policy as suggested in the Action Plan,’ declared Riccardo Illy, President of the AER and of Friuli Venezia Giulia (I), at the end of the meeting.

‘However, the AER wishes to reiterate that this reform must not hamper the principles of economic, social and territorial cohesion. We regret that the territorial aspects were not clearly mentioned in the Commission’s presentation of State Aid in the context of the Lisbon Strategy (p. 7-8 of the Action Plan),’ added Riccardo Illy.

‘In order to avoid a geographical concentration of assistance, which would have the negative effect of artificially distorting competition between regions eligible for State Aid and those non-eligible, we propose the introduction of regional differentiation in the context of horizontal aids ,’ he concluded.

The AER further declares itself satisfied with the measures relating to the financing of public services, as suggested by the Commission, in particular the exemption from the requirement of prior notification for smaller airports. ‘These provisions will facilitate the sound functioning of smaller airports, which have less human potential than bigger airports to face the administrative burden created by prior notification requirements, but which nonetheless play a key role for economic, social and territorial cohesion in the EU,’ stressed Håkan Sandgren, Vice-President of the AER’s ‘Regional Policy’ Committee and Regional Councillor of Jönköping (S). ‘We are pleased the Commission has followed our repeated proposals on this issue. We request, however, that regional airports with a higher number of passengers also benefit from this exemption. We should therefore continue to work on the Commission’s guidelines on regional airports, published on 6th September 2005. It is imperative that the final text takes into account the special role of regional airports,’ he added.

The AER is also closely following the Commission’s revised proposal on land public transport services and awaits the announced additional proposals regarding social and health services of general interest.

For more information: [email protected]

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Consultation towards AER reactions on state aid and on cohesion policy

2 August, 2005 By Editor

New! Consultation on the European Commission’s State aid Action plan and on the Community Strategic guidelines for cohesion, growth and jobs

The European Commission presented on 6 July a Communication on the Community Strategic Guidelines on economic, social and territorial cohesion. These guidelines establish the priorities for the next generation of cohesion policy programmes. They will be proposed for formal adoption by the Council and the European Parliament once the legal regulations for cohesion policy and the financial perspectives 2007-2013 have been adopted.
Meanwhile, an open consultation was launched on these strategic guidelines.

On the occasion of its latest Presidium meeting, the AER has reacted to this document. We nevertheless still invite you to send us your observations.

For more information: [email protected]

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The Assembly of European Regions urges the EU to respond to new challenges

31 May, 2005 By Editor


Sankt Gallen (CH), 31 May 2005

The Bureau of the AER met in Sankt Gallen (CH) today and urges the EU to respond to new challenges for the future of the Europe, that rise from the outcome of the referendum in France. In the declaration adopted during the meeting, the AER Bureau stresses “that many of the concerns raised during the ratification debate in France as well as in Netherlands, such as the effects of the liberalisation of services and the pursuit of economic objectives without full recognition of the social dimensions, need to be addressed at the national and European level.”

However, the AER Bureau urges the remaining EU Member States to continue with the ratification process “in order to allow their Parliaments and citizens to have their voices heard in the matter, as befits a democratic Europe.”

“The Constitutional Treaty represents a concrete step forward for the regions and their citizens, with the extension of the principle of subsidiarity to the regional and local levels, the inclusion of territorial cohesion within the Union’s objectives, the recognition of regional identities as well as the increased consultation of the regions in the legislative drafting phase” highlighted Riccardo Illy, the AER President, who campaigned in favour of yes by mobilising the Presidents of the French regions. “I call for the European regions to ensure that the gains for the regions embodied in the European Constitutional Treaty are attained regardless of the final outcome of the ratification process” he concluded.

In this context, the AER Bureau expresses its hope that the European Council meeting on 16th and 17th June will result in a consensus on the EU budget for 2007-2013. The AER emphasises that a minimum amount of 0,41% of EU GNP is necessary in order to adequately meet the needs of an enlarged Union, in terms of economic, social and territorial cohesion, as well as the priorities of the Lisbon Strategy, and calls for Heads of States and Governments to make a wise decision.

For more information: [email protected]

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Competitiveness, growth and cohesion: the EU must fund its ambitions

9 February, 2005 By Editor

Strasbourg (F), 9 February 2005

The Presidency of the AER met in Strasbourg today and expressed its deep concern about the future of cohesion policy in the new Europe. While the Barroso Commission has just announced an ambitious initiative in order to re-launch growth and job creation in Europe, many Member States are lobbying for that the EU budget be limited to 1% of the EU GNP for 2007-2013 programmation.

‘If the Union wants to build a credible European project endorsed by its citizens, who will very soon vote on the Treaty establishing a Constitution in many states, it must give itself the means of its own ambitions’ said Riccardo Illy, President of the AER. ‘The Commission’s proposal to increase the EU budget to 1,24% is considered by our organisation to be the lowest level acceptable in order to meet the challenges of enlargement’ he added.

The AER believes that a minimum of 0,41% of EU GNP is necessary in order to adequately meet, in terms of economic, social and territorial cohesion, the needs of an enlarged Union and the priorities of the Lisbon Strategy. It therefore calls for Heads of States and Governments to make a wise decision and adopt the appropriate measures for future regional and cohesion policies as proposed in the financial perspectives for 2007-2013 submitted by the European Commission.

‘As President of the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, which is both a border and a peripheral region of the EU, I can appreciate the role played by the Region/EU partnership in stimulating private investments, the creation and innovation of SMEs and the building of our own research centres. We are today a competitive and innovative region, as are many of the other regions that have benefited from the Structural Funds. EU competitiveness could be achieved only at this price’ concluded President Illy.

For more information: [email protected]

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The AER to Commissioner Hübner: “Cohesion should be at the service of the competitiveness of the regions”

20 January, 2005 By Editor


“…and not a competition between the regions”

Representatives of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) discussed today with Commisioner Hübner on the future of cohesion policy in the framework of the ongoing reform. The following requests were given to the Commisioner:

Cohesion and the Lisbon agenda
“There is tremendous potential for economic development in the regions of Europe. We think that cohesion policy should support the regions in exploring, developing and using this potential. To define top-down priorities for the whole of Europe will – in light of the diversity and differences in the regions – certainly not be the successful approach” explained Onno Hoes, President of the AER ‘Regional policy’ Committee and Member of the executive Board of Noord-Brabant-NL. Moreover, the specificities of certain areas, such as rural areas, must be better taken into account. “To overcome these difficulties, we suggest that the priorities of the new Objective 2 should be defined by the Regions themselves in the programme preparation period” added Onno Hoes.

Coordination with other EU policies
Cohesion policy and other European policies should be consistent. The guidelines that the EU is preparing for regional airports is an example of the potential danger resulting from incoherent European policies. What is supported by one of the policies, like economic development, sometimes is threatened by another.

Financial framework and rules
The AER underlines that the draft financial perspectives of 0,41% EU GDP (2007-2013) are a strict minimum if cohesion policy is to remain credible and tackle the challenges posed by enlargement and globalisation. Finally, the AER expressed its concerns about the maintenance of automatic decommitment (N+2 rule) that should be more flexible, especially for long-term projects.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER Projects

  • Ongoing projects
    • EU-BELONG: An Intercultural Approach to Migrant Integration in Europe’s Regions
    • Includ-EU: Regional and local expertise, exchange and engagement for enhanced social cohesion in Europe
  • Partner search
  • Completed projects
    • SCIROCCO Exchange project
    • SKILLNET – Sector Skills Network of VET centres in Advanced Manufacturing: a coalition of transnational VET providers
    • CUBES – Cultural Administration Boosting with the Engagement of Sustainability for Local Communities
    • Y-FED: Europe is what we make of it
    • AMiD – Access to Services for Migrants with Disabilities
    • AER Summer Academy 2016
    • Alcohol Prevention Peer Reviews
    • ECREIN+
    • Engaged
    • Joint Efforts to Combat Dropout (JET-CD)
    • Let’s REUnite! Together for cohesion project
    • MOCHA
    • MORE4NRG
    • PRESERVE
    • PYE – Promoting Youth Employment
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