Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2009-04-01-Speech-3-142"
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"en.20090401.15.3-142"2
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"Mr President, I should like to thank Mrs García Pérez, Mrs Jöns and Mr Angelakas. You have prepared three high-quality reports on the proposals for revision of the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund regulations, submitted by the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament within the context of the European Economic Recovery Plan adopted in November.
The financial and economic crisis also has a particular impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It was therefore crucial, within the context of the recovery plan, to facilitate their use of financial engineering instruments so that they can carry out their projects, in particular thanks to JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises). The other proposals for revision of the general regulation are also along these lines: direct contracts with the European Investment Bank, greater recourse to technical assistance for major projects, and eligibility of in-kind contributions in the case of financial engineering.
In its proposals the Commission has also sought to simplify the criteria for allocating aid from the ERDF and the European Social Fund. Thanks to the convergent amendments tabled by Parliament and the Council, the regulations specific to the ERDF and the ESF will be changed in an identical fashion, so that new types of eligible costs, calculated on the basis of flat rates, will be added to Community cofinancing.
These changes will simplify the expenditure justification procedure. They will reduce the workload and the number of supporting documents to be provided, without distorting the principles of sound financial management. Such rationalisation will facilitate absorption of ERDF and ESF appropriations without undermining the principles of these two funds, which remain relevant in these times of crisis. This is therefore more than just a timely response to the crisis; this is a response to the repeated calls for simplification of the Structural Funds made by the European Parliament and the Court of Auditors.
Mr President, I am grateful to the three rapporteurs for their support for these series of measures, which are going to enable us to speed up the implementation of the projects on the ground. These legislative measures are going to be accompanied by recommendations to the Member States. These recommendations were the subject of a Commission communication adopted on 16 December. The Commission has emphasised that the operational programmes may be reoriented so as to focus support on priorities resulting from the crisis.
The European Parliament has also expressed its concern to respond to the urgency of the situation by ensuring that these three regulations are adopted as quickly as possible and that the measures are applied promptly in the Member States. I am grateful to Parliament for sharing this ambition, as it will mean, in particular, that advances are paid to the Member States for May.
The Commission has taken account of Parliament’s call. It has made sure that the measures adopted under the recovery plan will be rigorously monitored and that a report on the implementation of the measures and their actual results will be presented to the European Parliament.
Thus, during the second half of 2010, the Commission will draft a report on the implementation of the measures adopted within the framework of the recovery plan in the area of cohesion policy within the Union. This report, which will be drafted – I repeat – during the second half of 2010, will be based on the annual implementation reports drafted by the Member States in June 2010. The latter will then be invited to present in these reports a review of the implementation of the measures adopted under the recovery plan, showing the results obtained in the context of cohesion policy.
So, Mr President, the Commission has adopted a declaration along these lines, and I shall convey it to the European Parliament. I am grateful to all the Members, and especially to our three rapporteurs, for their attention. Looking ahead as I am to a fruitful debate, I am at your disposal to listen to your comments on the proposals for revision of the regulations that have been submitted to you.
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These three reports – relating to the general regulation, the regulation on the European Social Fund and the regulation on the European Regional Development Fund – testify to Parliament’s concern to see the European Union provide itself with resources that will enable it swiftly and effectively to combat the effects of the crisis in terms of growth and employment.
The Commission welcomes the efforts made in a very short space of time to adopt the amendments to the Regulations on the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund tabled within the framework of the European Economic Recovery Plan.
This result is the product of fruitful and effective cooperation between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission, with the support of the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, for the benefit of the national and regional economies of the European Union.
The legislative package will help to facilitate the implementation of the operational programmes and to accelerate investments for the benefit of the European economy, in particular through several simplification measures.
During the second half of 2010, the Commission will draft a report on the implementation of the measures adopted within the framework of the recovery plan in the area of cohesion policy within the European Union. This report will be based in particular on the annual implementation reports drafted by the Member States in June 2010. The Member States are therefore invited to present in these reports a review of the implementation of the measures adopted under the recovery plan, showing the results obtained in the context of cohesion policy.
Cohesion policy is a powerful lever for stimulating the real economy. EUR 347 billion in appropriations for 2007-2013: that is how to create a solid foundation for budget stability and public investment in the Member States and the regions of the European Union.
It is for this very reason that cohesion policy plays such a large part in the EERP. Indeed, in this recovery plan, the Commission has recommended actions falling under the four priority areas of the Lisbon Strategy: individuals, businesses, infrastructure and energy, and research and innovation.
The Commission has also suggested that a judicious combination, linking strategy and human resources, may act as a catalyst for key investments, which will enable the European Union to restore lasting prosperity. As regards cohesion policy, the major objective of this strategy is to speed up both the implementation of the programmes and investment in projects benefiting EU citizens and economic activity.
The rapporteurs have just gone over the details of the regulatory amendments submitted to you. I shall focus on one or two of them.
Firstly, to improve the management of the funds, facilities are being offered to the Member States, not least additional advances of 2% or 2.5%, amounting to a total of EUR 6.25 billion in 2009. It is vital that this money is channelled quickly to beneficiaries, so that more finance is available for priority projects.
In terms of energy efficiency and renewable energies, the amendment made to the ERDF regulation will mean that up to 4% of the total amount of the ERDF contribution can be invested in housing. This equates to a total available envelope of EUR 8 billion for all the Member States. This will increase the contribution made by cohesion policy to combating climate change.
With regard to major projects, the amendment tabled in the general regulation is aimed at relaxing the financial management rules, allowing the management authority to include in expenditure declarations to the Commission expenditure linked to major projects that have not yet been the subject of a Commission decision."@en1
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"Angelakas report"1
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