Speech: A New Cohesion Policy for Growth and Jobs in Europe / Cohesion Policy reform: MEPs approve deal with Council

Text of a speech by Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy speaking about the reform of EU Cohesion policy in Brussels, 7 November 2013.

Once the EU's 2014-2020 budget is confirmed by the European Parliament and EU member states, Cohesion Policy will invest € 325 billion in Europe's regions and cities to deliver the EU-wide goals of growth and jobs, as well as tackling climate change and energy dependence.

Key elements of the reform are:
- Investing in all EU regions
- Targeting resources at key growth sectors
- Fixing clear, transparent, measurable aims and targets for accountability and results
- Introducing conditions before funds can be channelled
- Establishing a common strategy for more coordination and less overlap
- Cutting red tape and simplifying the use of EU investments
- Enhancing the urban dimension of the policy
- Reinforcing cooperation across borders and making
- Ensuring that Cohesion Policy is fully coherent with the wider EU economic governance
- Encouraging the increased use of financial instruments to give SMEs more support and access to credit

The European Parliament's Regional Development Committee endorsed on the 8 November 2013 the deal struck with Council of the European Union on the reform of the key regulation covering all EU funds. This cleared the last hurdle before the full European Parliament votes on the new Cohesion Policy for 2014-2020 and paves the way for the €325 billion investment tool for EU regions to come into force on time.

European Commision: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/13/878: Refocusing EU Cohesion Policy for Maximum Impact on Growth and Jobs: The Reform in 10 points http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-878_en.pdf

European Parliament: Press Release, 07.11.13: Cohesion Policy reform: MEPs approve deal with Council http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20131104IPR23610/

EurActiv, 08.11.13: Revamped cohesion policy agreed after one year of negotiations http://www.euractiv.com/priorities/revamped-cohesion-policy-agreed-news-531576

EUObserver, 07.11.13: Economic governance tool to be part of regional aid http://euobserver.com/regions/122020

European Commission: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/13/1011: Refocusing EU Cohesion Policy for Maximum Impact on Growth and Jobs: The Reform in 10 points http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-1011_en.pdf

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