Regulation (EU) 2022/2039 amending Regulations (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) 2021/1060 as regards additional flexibility to address the consequences of the military aggression of the Russian Federation FAST (Flexible Assistance for Territories) – CARE

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2022/2039 - formally adopted by the co-legislators on 19 October 2022 - introducing amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 as regards additional flexibility to address the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

Further information:

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 sets out the common principles, rules and standards for the operation of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020. Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 sets out common provisions for seven shared management funds in the framework of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027.

This Regulation introduces amendments to this framework to allow for the implementation of an additional set of supporting measures named Flexible Assistance to Territories - FAST-CARE.

The draft law was tabled by the European Commission on 29 June 2022, alongside a Communication providing an overview of this set of measures introduced by FAST-CARE. Its need arose from Russia's decision to invade Ukraine, which brought new and unexpected challenges for the European Union (EU). Support was already being provided under Cohesion's Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE). In addition, the European Commission paid €3.5 billion of pre-financing under REACT-EU and further simplified the mobilisation of funds. The envelope of REACT-EU funds had been made available to address the arising needs.

However, stakeholders still requested for further support as the situation further deteriorated. FAST-CARE aims to offer maximum flexibility for the implementation of Cohesion Policy investments. It also aims to contribute to mitigate the delayed implementation of EU-funded projects due to the combined effect of COVID-19 pandemic and the high energy costs, shortage of raw materials and labour force exacerbated by the war.

The Council of the European Union adopted its general approach on 20 July. The European Parliament adopted the draft law on 4 October without presenting further amendments. The Act was signed by the co-legislators on 19 October 2022, which was published in the Official Journal on 25 October 2022.

Official

EUR-LEX: COM (2022)325: Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 as regards additional flexibility to address the consequences of the military aggression of the Russian Federation FAST (Flexible Assistance for Territories) - CARE https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2022:325:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE) (2022/0208(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2022/0208(COD)

European Commission: Press Release, 29/06/2022: Regulation (EU) 2022/562 amending Regulations (EU) No 1303/2013 and (EU) No 223/2014 as regards Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_4043

European Commission: Press Release, 29/06/2022: Questions and Answers: Cohesion Policy steps up support to address the consequences of Russia's aggression in Ukraine with the ‘Flexible Assistance to Territories' (29 June 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_22_4044

European Commission: Press conference by Commissioners Ferreira and Schmit on proposals to strengthen cohesion policy and better support Member States in addressing the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine (29 June 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_22_4228

European Commission: European Parliament REGI Committee: presentation of FAST CARE proposal to address the consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine (12 July 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_22_4484

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 20/07/2022: FAST-CARE: Council adopts negotiating mandate on further help for refugees from Ukraine and on addressing the consequences of Russia’s aggression https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/07/20/fast-care-council-adopts-negotiating-mandate-on-further-help-for-refugees-from-ukraine-and-on-addressing-the-consequences-of-russia-s-aggression/

European Parliament: Press Release, 15/09/2022: FAST-CARE: MEPs fast-track EU support in response to Russia´s war in Ukraine https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220912IPR40205/

EU EESC: Opinions, 21/09/2022: FAST-CARE https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/fast-care

European Parliament: Press Release, 04/10/2022: Parliament backs additional help for EU regions to ease the impact of the war https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220930IPR41923/

Greens/EFA EP Group: Press Release, 04/10/2022: Essential support for regions taking in refugees from the war in Ukraine - Quote from Niklas Nienass MEP https://www.greens-efa.eu/en/article/press/essential-support-for-regions-taking-in-refugees-from-the-war-in-ukraine-quote-from-niklas-nienass-mep

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