Regional Policy Commissioner Monika Wulf-Mathies is preparing proposals

Date: 07/03/1996

to maintain the existing list of areas falling under Objective 2 of the Structural Funds (regions undergoing industrial decline) for the 1997-99 period. Discussions are due to start with member states soon, with a final decision on the list of areas due in May. The Commission wants to leave the basic list unchanged, but allow member states flexibility to concentrate funds on particularly depressed areas.