Memo: Operational Programme France-Spain-Andorra 2007-2013

On 18 December 2007, the European Commission approved a Cross-border Cooperation Operational Programme between France, Spain and Andorra for the period 2007-2013. The Programme involves providing Community support as part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for specific French, Spanish regions that lie along their common border and Andorra. The Programme involves Community support for the 10 NUTS III border areas of both countries, plus 11 NUTS III adjacent areas.

The Operational Programme falls within the framework laid out for the European Territorial Cooperation Objective and has a total budget of around €257 million. Community funding through the ERDF amounts to some €168 million, which represents approximately % of the total EU investment earmarked for the European Territorial Cooperation Objective under the Cohesion Policy 2007-2013.

The Programme affects a population of about 5 million people (2004). The population density presents large variations within the large mountainous area defined by the Pyrenees. The eligible area covers 74.000km2 directly; while, if the adjacent areas are also taken into account, the eligible area would cover nearly double that amount – or 146.000km2.