Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-01-17-Speech-1-101"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2000-01-17"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Social and economic situation and development of the regions of the Union2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20000117.6.1-101"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2000-01-17-Speech-1-1022
lpv:speaker	lp:Rijk van Dam2
lpv:spokenAs	member; EDD (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 substitute; AFCO (1999-07-21--2000-06-12)3 vice-chair; Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 member; Delegation to the EU-Estonia Joint Parliamentary Committee (1999-09-28--2002-01-14)3 member; Delegation for relations with Israel (1999-09-28--2002-01-14)3 unknown; Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij - Gereformeerd Politiek Verbond - Reformatorisch Politieke Federatie (1999-07-20--2002-03-17)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, my compliments to the rapporteur for his in-depth report. The key goal of the structural funds is to strengthen social and economic cohesion between the regions within the European Union. By stimulating a diversity of investments, the European Union is endeavouring to increase the GDP per capita and to boost employment. From the sixth periodic report on the regions, one can draw the hesitant conclusion that these incentives do not always have the desired effect. The efforts made in order to drive up the GDP per capita in Objective 1 regions do not always result in such an increase, not really a satisfying result over a period during which, certainly over the past couple of years, there has been economic growth. As indicated by the rapporteur, the effects of the structural measures, on the other hand, are minimal as far as employment is concerned. Some reservation about the effectiveness of Community aid is therefore called for. Also, the observation that the disparities between regions within Member States sometimes even become more pronounced raises serious questions. Mr President, it therefore seems worthwhile and necessary to focus attention on both national and regional authorities, especially in connection with boosting employment. It is, after all, they who have most knowledge about the regions which fall under their remit. By allowing them to develop tailor-made plans for the relevant regions and, if necessary, tying this in with financial aid, a higher return can be achieved. Surely this must be the ultimate goal. I am therefore in favour of the Commission delegating the practical details and implementation of measures to the Member States and regions. Following on from this, it is probably also more meaningful, with regard to the financial aid to regions, to give Member States more say anyway. By shifting the criteria from the regions to the Member States, we can avoid a great deal of problems later on. Finally, I would like to draw attention to the position of the Central and Eastern European countries. The report shows that, in general, they are a long way behind EU countries, especially in terms of GDP per capita. With the planned accession of a large number of these countries in the foreseeable future, it is a matter of urgency to review the current structural policy. I would like to take this opportunity to follow the example of others and call on the Commission to submit proposals for reform sooner rather than later."@en1

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