Eurocommissaris Hübner in Malta: cohesiebeleid stimuleert werkgelegenheid en groei (en)
Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner is visiting Malta, on April 24 and 25, to discuss the overall impact of cohesion policy on Malta's economy, the progress of the implementation of current 2004-2006 programming period and the preparations for the new period 2007-2013. Commissioner Hübner is meeting with President of Malta, Edward Fenech Adami, Prime minister Lawrence Gonzi, and Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono. The Commissioner will address the members of Parliament and the members of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) and visit projects which have received EU funding in the islands of Malta and Gozo.
"The success of the new Cohesion policy in the years 2007-2013, in Malta but also across Europe, will depend to a large extend on our combined efforts during the next few months. We cannot afford to lose a single day in the same way we cannot afford to let a single cent go unused", said Commissioner Hübner. "The new cohesion policy will mean an unprecedented investment in terms of EU funds for the 10 new Member States. This is the kind of investment which can truly transform European regions and bring growth and new quality jobs to our Union", she added.
Danuta Hübner also noted that national authorities will need to monitor closely the huge increase in funding and ensure the impact of Cohesion Policy financing does not disrupt the economic, social and administrative stability of their respective countries.
To deal efficiently with this increase of resources also requires good quality in terms of administrative, technical and financial capacity. To this effect Commissioner Hübner reaffirmed that the Commission services are ready where necessary to offer national and regional authorities their help and expertise in the dual task of ensuring the ongoing success in the execution of the 2004-2006 programmes and the rapid adoption of the framework for the new programmes.
Background
The Community funding for Malta in the period 2004-2006 amounted to € 63.2 million under Structural funds, € 21.9 million under Cohesion fund, € 1.24 million for EQUAL and € 2.37 million in aid for territorial cooperation through "Interreg". In addition in 2004 Malta received nearly € 1 million under the Solidarity fund following floods in 2003.
To help Member States with their preparations for the new programming period the Commission adopted, in July 2005, a Communication on the future Community Strategic Guidelines on cohesion policy. The guidelines are the main instrument at the Commission's disposal to ensure that cohesion policy serves the EU's goal of economic modernisation.
The guidelines set out a framework for new programmes which will be supported by the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund. The draft will be adopted in final form once the relevant legislative texts have been agreed by the European Parliament and the Council possibly by June 2006.
These guidelines serve as the broad framework for the preparations of the national strategic reference frameworks for each member state.
The national strategic reference frameworks form the basis of the national and regional operational programmes and will have to connect/relate to the Lisbon national reform programmes. The key test for programmes in the future will be that of their contribution to growth and jobs in line with the renewed Lisbon agenda, which was agreed by the Member States meeting at the Spring Council in March 2005.
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