BETA


2009/2234(INI) Contribution of EU regional policy towards fighting the financial and economic crisis, with a special reference to Objective 2

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead REGI KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi (icon: PPE PPE) WESTPHAL Kerstin (icon: S&D S&D), THEURER Michael (icon: ALDE ALDE), DELLI Karima (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2010/11/29
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2010/07/06
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2010/07/06
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 609 votes to 46, with 14 abstentions a resolution on the contribution of EU regional policy towards fighting the financial and economic crisis, with a special reference to Objective 2.

Key instrument for economic recovery and employment: Parliament stresses that, in the context of the global financial and economic crisis and the current economic slowdown, EU regional policy is a key delivery instrument, making a decisive contribution to the European Economic Recovery Plan, constituting the largest Community source of investment in the real economy and providing notable support for public investment. It notes that the Structural Funds are powerful instruments, designed for helping the regions in their economic and social restructuring and in promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, development of competitiveness and job creation.

Although Parliament notes the positive results with regard to most indicators observed in the period before the economic crisis in the Objective 2 regions, (namely the high performance levels in employment, innovation, research and development (R&D), human capital intensity, education and training and lifelong learning), it stresses that the impact of the crisis on the economy must not result in a reduction in support for more and better jobs, and calls for these comparative advantages to be sustained through a strengthening of the Objective 2 instruments.

EU 2020 Strategy: supporting the key priorities of the EU 2020 strategy, Parliament notes with concern the negative social consequences that have been brought about by the crisis in Objective 2 regions and calls on the Commission to take initiatives to support SMEs in securing the viability of existing jobs and creating, where possible, more new jobs.

It emphasises that economic, social and territorial cohesion is at the heart of the EU2020 Strategy and that cohesion policy and the structural funds are a key tool in achieving the priorities of smart, sustainable, inclusive growth in the Member States and the regions.

Towards greater flexibility: Parliament underlines the significant problem posed by the reduction in the contribution of national co-financing to programmes, which also has implications for Objective 2 owing to the major financial problems of many Member States, and supports Commission policy regarding the use of the Community contribution. It considers it necessary, therefore, to amend Regulation 1083/2006 in its present form, as adopted by Parliament, to be speedily implemented. It notes that, out of a total of 117 operational programmes financed by the ESF, 13 were amended with the aim of tackling specific needs resulting from the crisis. The Commission is called upon to help the Member States use this flexibility to reorient their operational programmes . It calls on the Commission to help the Member States use this flexibility to reorient their operational programmes, and to publicise the fact widely among the relevant regional and local actors as quickly as possible with a view to providing short-term assistance to specific at-risk groups and categories. Parliament insists in particular that all funds that remain unspent in a region under N+2 and N+3 are allocated again to regionally based projects and community initiatives.

Advances for Member States in difficulty : Parliament supports the Council's proposal to increase advances for 2010 by 4% in the case of the ESF and by 2% in the case of the Cohesion Fund, but only for Member States whose GDP has fallen by more than two digits or which have received IMF balance-of-payments support.

Support measures for undertakings: Parliament welcomes the support measures for undertakings under the cohesion policy (approximately EUR 55 billion between 2007 and 2013), most of which relate to strengthening innovation, technology transfer and modernisation of SMEs. It states that the proposed measures under the intervention in favour of undertakings must be targeted at their long-term restructuring outcomes and the transition to a more sustainable economy, and not at fire-fighting interventions for economic survival, which, in many cases, are incompatible with State aid policies.

Strengthen research and innovation: Parliament emphasises that investment is needed in research and development, innovation, education and technologies that use resources efficiently. Such investment will benefit traditional sectors, rural areas and highly skilled service economies and will therefore strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion. It calls on the Commission and the Member States to monitor, on a continuous basis, the impact of the crisis in various structural and development fields and the use made of the opportunities offered by the financing instruments earmarked for Objective 2 primarily to support entrepreneurship and SMEs and bodies working for a social, inclusive economy. It also calls on the Commission and the Member States to use this evidence to prepare and target the future Objective 2 EU Cohesion to those areas, at regional and local level, where added value of EU interventions can be demonstrated (in particular innovations in the tourism, service, IT, and industrial sectors,…).

Eligibility and prefinancing: Parliament welcomes Commission policy on (a) extending the eligibility period under the operational programmes 2000-2006 to allow maximum take-up of all cohesion policy resources, (b) simplifying the administrative requirements and procedures and the financial management of the programmes. It also supports the ‘pre-financing’ policy for programmes under the cohesion policy 2007-2013, which produced immediate liquidity of EUR 6.25 billion for 2009.

Financing for major projects: Parliament supports the assistance policy and the new financing instruments for major projects for the regions (planned total cost of EUR 50 million and above) introduced by the Commission in 2009, values the importance of financial engineering instruments and EIB/EIF cooperation, especially JASPERS, JEREMIE AND JESSICA. It calls for a further increase beyond 25% in the financing provided through JASPERS (Joint Assistance in Supporting Projects in European Regions) that relates specifically to the regions in Objective 2, with a view to encouraging their full preparation

Governance: Parliament stresses that only with genuinely integrated multi-level governance among local, regional, national, cross-border and EU public authorities can EU, national and regional policy be efficient and effective. It calls on the Commission to evaluate the possibilities of innovation-related territorial cooperation, both national and international, in each cohesion policy objective, and to analyse the possibilities for reinforcing the European territorial cooperation objective with regard to fostering innovation-related cooperation between regions. In parallel with the reinforcement of the Territorial Cooperation Objective (Objective 3), it recommends the possibility of developing transnational territorial cooperation actions in the framework of Objective 2 should also be reinforced. Parliament also underlines the need to avoid abuses and mismanagement of projects.

Gender equality: Parliament emphasises the positive effect which equality between men and women has on economic growth. It requests special scrutiny for those projects financed under the structural funds which promote equality and the inclusion of women in the labour market.

Documents
2010/07/06
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2010/07/05
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2010/06/24
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
Documents
2010/06/24
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Documents
2010/06/03
   EP - Vote in committee
Details

The Committee on Regional Development adopted the own-initiative report drafted by Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU (EPP, EL) on the contribution of EU regional policy towards fighting the financial and economic crisis, with a special reference to Objective 2.

Key instrument for economic recovery : Members stress that, in the context of the global financial and economic crisis and the current economic slowdown, EU regional policy is a key delivery instrument, making a decisive contribution to the European Economic Recovery Plan, constituting the largest Community source of investment in the real economy. Members note that the Structural Funds are powerful instruments, designed for helping the regions in their economic and social restructuring and in promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, development of competitiveness and job creation.

EU 2020 Strategy : supporting the key priorities of the EU 2020 strategy, Members note with concern the negative social consequences that have been brought about by the crisis in Objective 2 regions and calls on the Commission to take initiatives to support SMEs in securing the viability of existing jobs and creating, where possible, more new jobs. They emphasise that economic, social and territorial cohesion is at the heart of the EU2020 Strategy and that cohesion policy and the structural funds are a key tool in achieving the priorities of smart, sustainable, inclusive growth in the Member States and the regions.

Towards greater flexibility : Members underline the significant problem posed by the reduction in the contribution of national co-financing to programmes, which also has implications for Objective 2 owing to the major financial problems of many Member States, and supports Commission policy regarding the use of the Community contribution. The report considers it necessary, therefore, to amend Regulation 1083/2006 in its present form, as adopted by Parliament, to be speedily implemented. The report notes that, out of a total of 117 operational programmes financed by the ESF, 13 were amended with the aim of tackling specific needs resulting from the crisis. The Commission is called upon to help the Member States use this flexibility to reorient their operational programmes. Furthermore, Members call on the Commission to study the causes of the delays in implementation and to find flexible solutions for the n+2/n+3 rules, so that funds are not forfeited to the Member States.

Support measures for undertakings : Members welcome the support measures for undertakings under the cohesion policy (approximately EUR 55 billion between 2007 and 2013), most of which relates to strengthening innovation, technology transfer and modernisation of SMEs. They state that the proposed measures under the intervention in favour of undertakings must be targeted at their long-term restructuring outcomes and the transition to a more sustainable economy, and not at fire-fighting interventions for economic survival, which in many cases are incompatible with State aid policies.

Strengthen research and innovation : Members emphasise that, in order to tackle the crisis, investment is needed in research and development, innovation, education and technologies that use resources efficiently. Such investment will benefit traditional sectors, rural areas and highly skilled service economies and will therefore strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion. Members call on the Commission and the Member States to monitor, on a continuous basis, the impact of the crisis in various structural and development fields and the use made of the opportunities offered by the financing instruments earmarked for Objective 2 primarily to support entrepreneurship and SMEs and bodies working for a social, inclusive economy. They also call on the Commission and the Member States to use this evidence to prepare and target the future Objective 2 EU Cohesion to those areas, at regional and local level, where added value of EU interventions can be demonstrated (in particular innovations in the tourism, service, IT, and industrial sectors,…).

Eligibility and prefinancing : Members welcome Commission policy on (a) extending the eligibility period under the operational programmes 2000-2006 to allow maximum take-up of all cohesion policy resources, (b) simplifying the administrative requirements and procedures and the financial management of the programmes. They also support the ‘pre-financing’ policy for programmes under the cohesion policy 2007-2013, which produced immediate liquidity of EUR 6.25 billion for 2009 for investment within the framework of the financing packages agreed for each Member State.

Financing for major projects : Members support the assistance policy and the new financing instruments for major projects for the regions (planned total cost of EUR 50 million and above) introduced by the Commission in 2009, values the importance of financial engineering instruments and EIB/EIF cooperation, especially JASPERS, JEREMIE AND JESSICA. Members call for a further increase beyond 25% in the financing provided through JASPERS (Joint Assistance in Supporting Projects in European Regions) that relates specifically to the regions in Objective 2, with a view to encouraging their full preparation.

Governance : Members stress that only with genuinely integrated multi-level governance among local, regional, national, cross-border and EU public authorities can EU, national and regional policy be efficient and effective. They call on the Commission to evaluate the possibilities of innovation-related territorial cooperation, both national and international, in each cohesion policy objective, and to analyse the possibilities for reinforcing the European territorial cooperation objective with regard to fostering innovation-related cooperation between regions. In parallel with the reinforcement of the Territorial Cooperation Objective (Objective 3), Members recommend the possibility of developing transnational territorial cooperation actions in the framework of Objective 2 should also be reinforced Members are of the opinion that, without changing the overall cohesion objectives' budget, the reinforcement of territorial cooperation should be accompanied by a move towards an increased budget for this extended territorial cooperation.

Gender equality : Members emphasise the positive effect which equality between men and women has on economic growth. They request special scrutiny for those projects financed under the structural funds which promote equality and the inclusion of women in the labour market.

2010/03/26
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2010/03/01
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2009/12/17
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2009/10/06
   EP - KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in REGI

Documents

Activities

Votes

Rapport KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU A7-0206/2010 - VOTE UNIQUE #

2010/07/06 Outcome: +: 609, -: 46, 0: 14
DE IT FR ES PL GB RO HU BG BE EL AT NL CZ PT FI LT SK IE LV DK SE LU SI EE MT CY
Total
94
62
66
47
43
69
31
20
17
19
21
16
22
20
17
13
10
12
11
8
11
14
6
6
6
5
2
icon: PPE PPE
241

Czechia PPE

2

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Sweden PPE

For (1)

3

Luxembourg PPE

3

Slovenia PPE

2

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Malta PPE

2

Cyprus PPE

1
icon: S&D S&D
173

Netherlands S&D

3

Finland S&D

2

Latvia S&D

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Slovenia S&D

2

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
77

Lithuania ALDE

2

Slovakia ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

For (1)

1
3

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
48

Spain Verts/ALE

2

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5

Belgium Verts/ALE

3

Greece Verts/ALE

1

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

3

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

2
3

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
49

Hungary ECR

For (1)

1

Belgium ECR

For (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

For (1)

1

Lithuania ECR

1

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1
icon: NI NI
24

France NI

2

Spain NI

1
5

Hungary NI

3

Bulgaria NI

2

Belgium NI

Against (1)

1
icon: EFD EFD
27

France EFD

Against (1)

1

Greece EFD

2

Netherlands EFD

For (1)

1

Finland EFD

Against (1)

1

Lithuania EFD

2

Slovakia EFD

Against (1)

1

Denmark EFD

Abstain (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
29

Spain GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

3

Portugal GUE/NGL

2

Ireland GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Latvia GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

1
AmendmentsDossier
68 2009/2234(INI)
2010/03/26 REGI 68 amendments...
source: PE-440.024

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE439.316
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/EN&reference=PE439.316
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE440.024
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/EN&reference=PE440.024
docs/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2010-0206_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2010-0206_EN.html
events/0/type
Old
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
New
Committee referral announced in Parliament
events/1/type
Old
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
New
Vote in committee
events/2
date
2010-06-24T00:00:00
type
Committee report tabled for plenary
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2010-0206_EN.html title: A7-0206/2010
events/2
date
2010-06-24T00:00:00
type
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2010-0206_EN.html title: A7-0206/2010
events/3/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20100705&type=CRE
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/EN&reference=20100705&type=CRE
events/5
date
2010-07-06T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2010-0255_EN.html title: T7-0255/2010
summary
events/5
date
2010-07-06T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2010-0255_EN.html title: T7-0255/2010
summary
procedure/Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 150
procedure/Other legal basis
Rules of Procedure EP 159
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 54
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 052
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Regional Development
committee
REGI
rapporteur
name: KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi date: 2009-10-06T00:00:00 group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Regional Development
committee
REGI
date
2009-10-06T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
docs/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2010-206&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2010-0206_EN.html
docs/3/body
EC
events/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2010-206&language=EN
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2010-0206_EN.html
events/5/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2010-255
New
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2010-0255_EN.html
activities
  • date: 2009-12-17T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: WESTPHAL Kerstin group: ALDE name: THEURER Michael group: Verts/ALE name: DELLI Karima responsible: True committee: REGI date: 2009-10-06T00:00:00 committee_full: Regional Development rapporteur: group: PPE name: KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi
  • date: 2010-06-03T00:00:00 body: EP committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: WESTPHAL Kerstin group: ALDE name: THEURER Michael group: Verts/ALE name: DELLI Karima responsible: True committee: REGI date: 2009-10-06T00:00:00 committee_full: Regional Development rapporteur: group: PPE name: KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • date: 2010-06-24T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2010-206&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A7-0206/2010 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2010-07-05T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20100705&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2010-07-06T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=18620&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2010-255 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0255/2010 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
commission
  • body: EC dg: Regional and Urban Policy commissioner: HAHN Johannes
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Regional Development
committee
REGI
date
2009-10-06T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi group: European People's Party (Christian Democrats) abbr: PPE
shadows
committees/0
body
EP
shadows
responsible
True
committee
REGI
date
2009-10-06T00:00:00
committee_full
Regional Development
rapporteur
group: PPE name: KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi
docs
  • date: 2010-03-01T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE439.316 title: PE439.316 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2010-03-26T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE440.024 title: PE440.024 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2010-06-24T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2010-206&language=EN title: A7-0206/2010 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP
  • date: 2010-11-29T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=18620&j=0&l=en title: SP(2010)6850 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2009-12-17T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2010-06-03T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP summary: The Committee on Regional Development adopted the own-initiative report drafted by Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU (EPP, EL) on the contribution of EU regional policy towards fighting the financial and economic crisis, with a special reference to Objective 2. Key instrument for economic recovery : Members stress that, in the context of the global financial and economic crisis and the current economic slowdown, EU regional policy is a key delivery instrument, making a decisive contribution to the European Economic Recovery Plan, constituting the largest Community source of investment in the real economy. Members note that the Structural Funds are powerful instruments, designed for helping the regions in their economic and social restructuring and in promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, development of competitiveness and job creation. EU 2020 Strategy : supporting the key priorities of the EU 2020 strategy, Members note with concern the negative social consequences that have been brought about by the crisis in Objective 2 regions and calls on the Commission to take initiatives to support SMEs in securing the viability of existing jobs and creating, where possible, more new jobs. They emphasise that economic, social and territorial cohesion is at the heart of the EU2020 Strategy and that cohesion policy and the structural funds are a key tool in achieving the priorities of smart, sustainable, inclusive growth in the Member States and the regions. Towards greater flexibility : Members underline the significant problem posed by the reduction in the contribution of national co-financing to programmes, which also has implications for Objective 2 owing to the major financial problems of many Member States, and supports Commission policy regarding the use of the Community contribution. The report considers it necessary, therefore, to amend Regulation 1083/2006 in its present form, as adopted by Parliament, to be speedily implemented. The report notes that, out of a total of 117 operational programmes financed by the ESF, 13 were amended with the aim of tackling specific needs resulting from the crisis. The Commission is called upon to help the Member States use this flexibility to reorient their operational programmes. Furthermore, Members call on the Commission to study the causes of the delays in implementation and to find flexible solutions for the n+2/n+3 rules, so that funds are not forfeited to the Member States. Support measures for undertakings : Members welcome the support measures for undertakings under the cohesion policy (approximately EUR 55 billion between 2007 and 2013), most of which relates to strengthening innovation, technology transfer and modernisation of SMEs. They state that the proposed measures under the intervention in favour of undertakings must be targeted at their long-term restructuring outcomes and the transition to a more sustainable economy, and not at fire-fighting interventions for economic survival, which in many cases are incompatible with State aid policies. Strengthen research and innovation : Members emphasise that, in order to tackle the crisis, investment is needed in research and development, innovation, education and technologies that use resources efficiently. Such investment will benefit traditional sectors, rural areas and highly skilled service economies and will therefore strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion. Members call on the Commission and the Member States to monitor, on a continuous basis, the impact of the crisis in various structural and development fields and the use made of the opportunities offered by the financing instruments earmarked for Objective 2 primarily to support entrepreneurship and SMEs and bodies working for a social, inclusive economy. They also call on the Commission and the Member States to use this evidence to prepare and target the future Objective 2 EU Cohesion to those areas, at regional and local level, where added value of EU interventions can be demonstrated (in particular innovations in the tourism, service, IT, and industrial sectors,…). Eligibility and prefinancing : Members welcome Commission policy on (a) extending the eligibility period under the operational programmes 2000-2006 to allow maximum take-up of all cohesion policy resources, (b) simplifying the administrative requirements and procedures and the financial management of the programmes. They also support the ‘pre-financing’ policy for programmes under the cohesion policy 2007-2013, which produced immediate liquidity of EUR 6.25 billion for 2009 for investment within the framework of the financing packages agreed for each Member State. Financing for major projects : Members support the assistance policy and the new financing instruments for major projects for the regions (planned total cost of EUR 50 million and above) introduced by the Commission in 2009, values the importance of financial engineering instruments and EIB/EIF cooperation, especially JASPERS, JEREMIE AND JESSICA. Members call for a further increase beyond 25% in the financing provided through JASPERS (Joint Assistance in Supporting Projects in European Regions) that relates specifically to the regions in Objective 2, with a view to encouraging their full preparation. Governance : Members stress that only with genuinely integrated multi-level governance among local, regional, national, cross-border and EU public authorities can EU, national and regional policy be efficient and effective. They call on the Commission to evaluate the possibilities of innovation-related territorial cooperation, both national and international, in each cohesion policy objective, and to analyse the possibilities for reinforcing the European territorial cooperation objective with regard to fostering innovation-related cooperation between regions. In parallel with the reinforcement of the Territorial Cooperation Objective (Objective 3), Members recommend the possibility of developing transnational territorial cooperation actions in the framework of Objective 2 should also be reinforced Members are of the opinion that, without changing the overall cohesion objectives' budget, the reinforcement of territorial cooperation should be accompanied by a move towards an increased budget for this extended territorial cooperation. Gender equality : Members emphasise the positive effect which equality between men and women has on economic growth. They request special scrutiny for those projects financed under the structural funds which promote equality and the inclusion of women in the labour market.
  • date: 2010-06-24T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2010-206&language=EN title: A7-0206/2010
  • date: 2010-07-05T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20100705&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2010-07-06T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=18620&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2010-07-06T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2010-255 title: T7-0255/2010 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 609 votes to 46, with 14 abstentions a resolution on the contribution of EU regional policy towards fighting the financial and economic crisis, with a special reference to Objective 2. Key instrument for economic recovery and employment: Parliament stresses that, in the context of the global financial and economic crisis and the current economic slowdown, EU regional policy is a key delivery instrument, making a decisive contribution to the European Economic Recovery Plan, constituting the largest Community source of investment in the real economy and providing notable support for public investment. It notes that the Structural Funds are powerful instruments, designed for helping the regions in their economic and social restructuring and in promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, development of competitiveness and job creation. Although Parliament notes the positive results with regard to most indicators observed in the period before the economic crisis in the Objective 2 regions, (namely the high performance levels in employment, innovation, research and development (R&D), human capital intensity, education and training and lifelong learning), it stresses that the impact of the crisis on the economy must not result in a reduction in support for more and better jobs, and calls for these comparative advantages to be sustained through a strengthening of the Objective 2 instruments. EU 2020 Strategy: supporting the key priorities of the EU 2020 strategy, Parliament notes with concern the negative social consequences that have been brought about by the crisis in Objective 2 regions and calls on the Commission to take initiatives to support SMEs in securing the viability of existing jobs and creating, where possible, more new jobs. It emphasises that economic, social and territorial cohesion is at the heart of the EU2020 Strategy and that cohesion policy and the structural funds are a key tool in achieving the priorities of smart, sustainable, inclusive growth in the Member States and the regions. Towards greater flexibility: Parliament underlines the significant problem posed by the reduction in the contribution of national co-financing to programmes, which also has implications for Objective 2 owing to the major financial problems of many Member States, and supports Commission policy regarding the use of the Community contribution. It considers it necessary, therefore, to amend Regulation 1083/2006 in its present form, as adopted by Parliament, to be speedily implemented. It notes that, out of a total of 117 operational programmes financed by the ESF, 13 were amended with the aim of tackling specific needs resulting from the crisis. The Commission is called upon to help the Member States use this flexibility to reorient their operational programmes . It calls on the Commission to help the Member States use this flexibility to reorient their operational programmes, and to publicise the fact widely among the relevant regional and local actors as quickly as possible with a view to providing short-term assistance to specific at-risk groups and categories. Parliament insists in particular that all funds that remain unspent in a region under N+2 and N+3 are allocated again to regionally based projects and community initiatives. Advances for Member States in difficulty : Parliament supports the Council's proposal to increase advances for 2010 by 4% in the case of the ESF and by 2% in the case of the Cohesion Fund, but only for Member States whose GDP has fallen by more than two digits or which have received IMF balance-of-payments support. Support measures for undertakings: Parliament welcomes the support measures for undertakings under the cohesion policy (approximately EUR 55 billion between 2007 and 2013), most of which relate to strengthening innovation, technology transfer and modernisation of SMEs. It states that the proposed measures under the intervention in favour of undertakings must be targeted at their long-term restructuring outcomes and the transition to a more sustainable economy, and not at fire-fighting interventions for economic survival, which, in many cases, are incompatible with State aid policies. Strengthen research and innovation: Parliament emphasises that investment is needed in research and development, innovation, education and technologies that use resources efficiently. Such investment will benefit traditional sectors, rural areas and highly skilled service economies and will therefore strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion. It calls on the Commission and the Member States to monitor, on a continuous basis, the impact of the crisis in various structural and development fields and the use made of the opportunities offered by the financing instruments earmarked for Objective 2 primarily to support entrepreneurship and SMEs and bodies working for a social, inclusive economy. It also calls on the Commission and the Member States to use this evidence to prepare and target the future Objective 2 EU Cohesion to those areas, at regional and local level, where added value of EU interventions can be demonstrated (in particular innovations in the tourism, service, IT, and industrial sectors,…). Eligibility and prefinancing: Parliament welcomes Commission policy on (a) extending the eligibility period under the operational programmes 2000-2006 to allow maximum take-up of all cohesion policy resources, (b) simplifying the administrative requirements and procedures and the financial management of the programmes. It also supports the ‘pre-financing’ policy for programmes under the cohesion policy 2007-2013, which produced immediate liquidity of EUR 6.25 billion for 2009. Financing for major projects: Parliament supports the assistance policy and the new financing instruments for major projects for the regions (planned total cost of EUR 50 million and above) introduced by the Commission in 2009, values the importance of financial engineering instruments and EIB/EIF cooperation, especially JASPERS, JEREMIE AND JESSICA. It calls for a further increase beyond 25% in the financing provided through JASPERS (Joint Assistance in Supporting Projects in European Regions) that relates specifically to the regions in Objective 2, with a view to encouraging their full preparation Governance: Parliament stresses that only with genuinely integrated multi-level governance among local, regional, national, cross-border and EU public authorities can EU, national and regional policy be efficient and effective. It calls on the Commission to evaluate the possibilities of innovation-related territorial cooperation, both national and international, in each cohesion policy objective, and to analyse the possibilities for reinforcing the European territorial cooperation objective with regard to fostering innovation-related cooperation between regions. In parallel with the reinforcement of the Territorial Cooperation Objective (Objective 3), it recommends the possibility of developing transnational territorial cooperation actions in the framework of Objective 2 should also be reinforced. Parliament also underlines the need to avoid abuses and mismanagement of projects. Gender equality: Parliament emphasises the positive effect which equality between men and women has on economic growth. It requests special scrutiny for those projects financed under the structural funds which promote equality and the inclusion of women in the labour market.
  • date: 2010-07-06T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/regional_policy/index_en.htm title: Regional and Urban Policy commissioner: HAHN Johannes
procedure/Modified legal basis
Old
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
New
Rules of Procedure EP 150
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
Old
REGI/7/01793
New
  • REGI/7/01793
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 052
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 052
procedure/subject
Old
  • 4.70 Regional policy
  • 4.70.01 Structural funds, investment funds in general
  • 5.03 World economy and globalisation
New
4.70
Regional policy
4.70.01
Structural funds, investment funds in general, programmes
5.03
Global economy and globalisation
other/0/dg/title
Old
Regional Policy
New
Regional and Urban Policy
procedure/subject/1
Old
4.70.01 Structural funds, structural and investment funds in general
New
4.70.01 Structural funds, investment funds in general
procedure/subject/1
Old
4.70.01 Structural funds in general
New
4.70.01 Structural funds, structural and investment funds in general
activities
  • date: 2009-12-17T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: WESTPHAL Kerstin group: ALDE name: THEURER Michael group: Verts/ALE name: DELLI Karima responsible: True committee: REGI date: 2009-10-06T00:00:00 committee_full: Regional Development rapporteur: group: PPE name: KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi
  • date: 2010-06-03T00:00:00 body: EP committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: WESTPHAL Kerstin group: ALDE name: THEURER Michael group: Verts/ALE name: DELLI Karima responsible: True committee: REGI date: 2009-10-06T00:00:00 committee_full: Regional Development rapporteur: group: PPE name: KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • date: 2010-06-24T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2010-206&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A7-0206/2010 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2010-07-05T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20100705&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2010-07-06T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=18620&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2010-255 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0255/2010 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
committees
  • body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: WESTPHAL Kerstin group: ALDE name: THEURER Michael group: Verts/ALE name: DELLI Karima responsible: True committee: REGI date: 2009-10-06T00:00:00 committee_full: Regional Development rapporteur: group: PPE name: KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU Rodi
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/regional_policy/index_en.htm title: Regional Policy commissioner: HAHN Johannes
procedure
dossier_of_the_committee
REGI/7/01793
reference
2009/2234(INI)
title
Contribution of EU regional policy towards fighting the financial and economic crisis, with a special reference to Objective 2
legal_basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 052
stage_reached
Procedure completed
subtype
Initiative
Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
type
INI - Own-initiative procedure
subject