EPP Group demands stronger Cohesion Policy

EU Cohesion funds help create more jobs, economic growth and energy efficiency in Europe. The funds have enormous potential, but the recurrent problem of payment backlogs and the late adoption of programmes by the European Commission hinder its efficiency. The EPP Group in the European Parliament states this today.

"The European Structural and Investment Funds help alleviate the devastating effects of the crisis. They boost the economy and help job creation, especially in regions that need it the most," says MEP Tamás Deutsch (HU), Rapporteur on the next Cohesion Report.

"So we have to put an end to the recurrent liquidity-related problems. The problem of payment backlogs and the late adoption of programmes places additional burdens on Member-State budgets and on the budgets of the final beneficiaries. Budgetary discipline also means paying bills on time."

The EPP Group is holding a public hearing on Wednesday afternoon, focusing on improvements. Several experts, for example from the University of Groningen (in the Netherlands), suggest a more efficient policy.

MEP Lambert van Nistelrooij (NL), spokesman for the EPP Group on regional policy: "Over the next years we need to invest the European Structural and Investment Funds in smart, sustainable and green growth. The EPP Group believes cross-border cooperation and synergy with the Juncker Investment Plan should be strengthened."

President Michael Schneider of the EPP Group in the Committee of the Regions considers EU Cohesion Policy an expression of Europe's solidarity, as well as an investment policy. "Local and regional authorities in Europe would like to see more innovative and ambitious support methods for EU public investment. We also need enhanced synergies between the EU, national and sub-national budgets. This should improve the efficiency of public spending."

EU Cohesion Policy investments from 2014-2020 will make more than €38 billion available to support the shift to a more environmentally-friendly economy, through investments for energy efficiency and renewables, while up to €33 billion will support Europe's SMEs in becoming more competitive.