Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-09-02-Speech-2-043"
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"en.20030902.1.2-043"2
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"Mr President, I am glad that Mr Pomés Ruiz has noted in his report the special consideration and support needed for Northern Finland and Sweden, where the population density is extremely low and the climate is harsh, and which are a long way from European markets.
Currently these areas have Objective 1 status. No other parts of Europe are as sparsely populated: they have an average of 4.4 inhabitants per square kilometre. EU regional policy has contributed to the development effort in these areas by improving competitiveness and encouraging entrepreneurship. The remoteness of peripheral areas causes high costs for marketing, trade, and transportation of goods and persons.
These factors should be taken into account when determining sufficient support levels. As a result of the Union's regional level of activities, Northern Finland and Sweden have developed innovative solutions in the fields of eLearning and eHealth, for example. Northern Finland can also act as an EU gateway to north-west Russia, with access to vast national resources and hence huge potential. Focusing cohesion policy on competitiveness by fostering economic development is welcome.
However, it should not be forgotten that geographical handicaps often restrain development of the economy, production and hence employment. Northern parts of Finland and Sweden are in unquestionable need of EU regional support and the structural disadvantages of extremely sparsely populated areas should be recognised independently of GDP. In addition to the sparsely populated areas, many other areas suffer from exceptionally high unemployment rates and these should also benefit from common initiatives. If they are not eligible under other Structural Funds they should benefit from the renewed Objective 2 or other similar Community initiatives. I am very happy to note that Mr Barnier has spoken about an
model for the renewed Objective 2. This is something which should be emphasised more in future. It is also very much welcomed by the Parliament."@en1
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"a la carte"1
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