Speech by Jiří Čunek at the Meeting of the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development, 19 January
Mr President,
distinguished Members of the European Parliament,
- it is a great honour to stand here before you today and give you an overview of the Czech Presidency’s position on regional and cohesion policy.
- My intention is twofold. First, I would like to introduce you briefly to the main priorities of the Czech Presidency. Then I would like to explain our objectives in the field of legislation.
1. Main priorities of the Czech Presidency
- The Czech Republic, together with France and Sweden, has drawn up an eighteen-month joint programme as a platform for the definition of our priorities. The Czech Presidency has three main priorities.
- The first main priority is to continue negotiations on the future of the cohesion policy after 2013. We definitely expect an intensive debate on this subject and we look forward to the European Parliament’s contribution, which we will examine in depth.
The Czech Presidency also intends to make an active contribution to the smooth implementation of structural measures for the period from 2007 to 2013 and to the successful completion of programmes for the years from 2000 to 2006.
In this context, I would like to stress the importance of sharing information, experiences and examples of ‘best practice’, and the importance of gathering and discussing ideas for the simplification of the various parts of the implementation process.
- The second major priority is to continue and broaden the current public debate on the concept of territorial cohesion. In this respect, I would like to emphasise the work already done by the Council under the French Presidency.
- Finally, the Presidency’s third main priority is to continue meeting commitments inherent in the EU’s Territorial Agenda and the Leipzig Charter.
- These priorities will be the focus of our talks during a number of formal and informal events that the Czech Presidency is preparing to hold. In this regard, I would like to mention in particular the special Conference on Territorial Cohesion and the Future of the Cohesion Policy to be held in Prague this March. [I expect broad participation not only from the Member States, but also from the EP].
2. Main legislative priorities
- Allow me now to concentrate on legislative activities under the Czech Presidency. As a result of the unforeseen and serious economic and financial crisis now upon us, we are faced, somewhat unexpectedly, with a number of important legislative proposals.
- I am sure that, given the seriousness of the economic and financial situation, we are all of the opinion that we must deal effectively with these proposals as a matter of urgency; Parliament can be confident that the Presidency will do everything in its power to facilitate speedy agreement. In the current circumstances, citizens would not tolerate any undue delay.
- Last November, in connection with the European Economic Recovery Plan, the Commission submitted three important and – I repeat – urgently required legislative proposals:
a) one to change the ‘General Regulation’ which governs structural measures,
b) one to change the Regulation on the European Regional Development Fund and
c) one to change the regulation on the European Social Fund.
- All these proposals aim to simplify the existing regulations on structural measures and accelerate the implementation of structural measures. These actions proposed to simplify and speed up processes are important in the current economic situation because they will form the ultimate incentive for the European Union and Member States to disburse resources from EU funds ‘faster’ and ‘better’.
- The Commission submitted the proposals as a ‘package’, and that is how the Council dealt with them.
- In its conclusions of the meeting held on 11 and 12 December 2008, the European Council expressed support for such measures, and, I quote:
‘invites the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission to adopt the necessary decisions, including, where appropriate, as regards the regulatory framework, in full compliance with the current financial perspective and the procedures of the Interinstitutional Agreement, in accordance with as speedy a timetable as possible’.
- The Council responded to the European Council’s invitation very quickly. I am therefore pleased to announce to you today that:
a) The Council would be willing to accept an amendment to the Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on the European Social Fund and to expand the types of costs eligible for compensation from this fund as proposed by the Commission.
I hope that the European Parliament will be able to follow suit. [This would allow us to adopt the regulation during the first few months of the year.]
b) The Council is in a position to formally seek the consent of Parliament to change certain provisions relating to the financial management of the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund.
Again, the Council could adopt the Commission’s proposal, subject to some editing of the text.
I must stress that the Commission has proposed the changes with a view to further simplification, a goal that I am sure we all share.
Let me remind you that it is extremely important to adopt this regulation as quickly as possible, since this would enable Member States to significantly speed up payments and the implementation of structural measures.
c) The Council is ready to hold talks with Parliament to ensure a prompt agreement is reached on the last part of the package, which concerns the proposed amendments to the Regulation on the European Regional Development Fund that touch on the eligibility of investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy in the context of housing.
The Council would, however, make slight modifications to the Commission’s proposal on two fronts.
First, it takes the view that the eligibility of expenditure on energy efficiency improvements and on the use of renewable energy in existing homes should be limited to 4% of the total allocations from the European Regional Development Fund, with Member States permitted to define categories of eligible housing.
The Council also wishes to incorporate into this Regulation provisions on flat-rate financing and one-off amounts, as proposed by the Commission for the Regulation on the European Social Fund, with retroactive effect from 1 August 2006.
I am confident that Parliament shares the aspiration of the Council and the Commission to reach speedy agreement on this regulation and that it will act accordingly.
- Seeking a timely agreement with the European Parliament on these legislative proposals remains a top legislative priority of the Czech Presidency.
- I would like to round off this short address by emphasising how important the Commission’s assistance is to the work of the Council. We share the objective of reaching swift agreement on these three proposals, and I am confident that the Commission welcomes, and is in a position to support, the work that has already been done by the Council in, I believe, record time.
Last update: 16.8.2011 15:51
