NUTS levels below level 3 berthold.feldmann@cec.eu.int

Structure of my talk Article 2 § 5 of the NUTS Regulation Member State consultation Next steps

AIM OF THIS TALK: Inform about the Member State views concerning a further level in the European Regional classification NUTS

Chapter 1 Legal background

No consensus on the number of NUTS levels During the Council discussions of the NUTS Regulation: conflicting views on the number of regional levels to be covered Hence Article 2 § 5 Within two years …, the Commission, after consulting the Member States, shall submit a communication to the European Parliament and the Council on the appropriateness of establishing rules on a Europe-wide basis for more detailed levels in the NUTS classification.

The rules of the game An additional NUTS level would mean the application of the following rules: NUTS level 4 would be a subdivision of NUTS 3 regions NUTS level 4 regions should cover the country 100% The regional breakdown would be kept stable for at least three years before the next possible amendments Minimum and maximum population thresholds would apply Supply of complete lists of names and identities for level 4 regions Development of additional rules to cover modifications of NUTS level 4 in Article 5

Chapter 2 Member State views

The Member State views (1) The consultation of the Member States in summer 2004 can be summarised as follows: In the statistical system of a large majority there is a regional breakdown between NUTS 3 and LAU 2 (= a LAU level 1) This LAU level 1 is also used for the collection and dissemination of regional statistics Only a very small minority of countries has more than one regional breakdown between NUTS 3 and LAU 2 The Commission can therefore concentrate its possible proposal on a single level

The Member State views (2) The consultation of the Member States in summer 2004 can be summarised as follows: In a majority of countries the boundaries of LAU level 1 change never or rarely (= stability) Population thresholds for the NUTS level 4 regions are very difficult to define (no answer by most countries) Opinions continue to be split on the question of whether a NUTS level 4 at the EU level should be added 8 yes – 12 no – 3 maybe – 2 functional regions

Member State view (3)

Chapter 3 Next steps

Main questions that need to be answered Is there an EU policy requirement that justifies the creation of an additional level? Are there advantages in including this in the formal requirements of the NUTS Regulation Are the Member States and Eurostat in a position to ensure the necessary information flows? Are we able to provide the resources necessary for making use of NUTS 4 statistics Is this expenditure justified?

Time Table Formulate a Eurostat view February 05 Present this to the SPC May 05 Interservice consultation June 05 Transmit the report to Parliament and Council July 05

Thanks for listening ! Any Questions ?