1. Cohesion Policy 2007-2013: key achievements of the negotiations Prof
Cohesion Policy : key achievements of the negotiations Prof. Danuta Hübner Regional Policy Commissioner Press briefing on the occasion of adoption of the Communication on the results of negotiations 14 May 2008
INTRODUCTION: WHY THIS COMMUNICATION?
You have heard already bits and pieces of what I will talk about. The Commission adopted this communication today, because now we have gathered together the pieces of the jigsaw. Compared to the past we see a big change in cohesion policy investments.
MS and regions have promised to invest cohesion policy funds differently this time round, – better and smarter than ever before. Today, I am able to reveal the big picture.
Why do we need this big change? We do, because the world has changed and so has Europe. In this new global economic environment, the recent policy reform has put competitiveness and cohesion objectives on the same track. Today, to achieve cohesion we must invest in competitiveness and innovation. This Communication is about promises of MS for the years to come. We gathered together the pieces of the jigsaw. We see a big change.

2. Cohesion policy at the heart of the Lisbon process
Member States and regions really committed to growth and jobs agenda. Accompanied by more decentralisation – this brings the Lisbon agenda to European citizens
COHESION POLICY AT THE HEART OF THE LISBON PROCESS:
It is clear to us now that MS and regions are really committed to catalysing growth and jobs – the Lisbon agenda. We see it in the way they have "earmarked" investment:
Convergence objective: 65% of the funds (€ 183 billion). Note that not all convergence regions are in the new MS, as often assumed, many are in the EU-15 accounting for 39% (€ 111 bn) of total convergence objective investment (€ 283 bn) (EU-12: 61% or € 172 bn)
Regional Competitiveness and Employment: 82% (€ 43 billion) 3

3. Key negotiation results and added value
Cohesion policy as instrument to respond to Union’s challenges
and to mobilise Europe’s potential
Not only the money: negotiation process acted as a catalyst for change inside Member States and regions
Cohesion policy as major EU instrument responding to Union’s challenges
Our main objective: make Europe and its regions more competitive
Mobilising potential of Europe
The process: Cohesion policy acted as a catalyst for change:
The negotiation process was a real dialogue that helped to shape the policy – it was a catalyst for change. Initially, MS and regions were perhaps hesitant about being innovative. But, in discussion with the Commission, Member States and regions changed their outlook.
The negotiations opened minds, this is certainly the key achievement of this process. Today, opening minds is more important than opening roads.
We stimulated the debate inside MS and regions. Over the last 2 years, we had hundreds and hundreds of meetings, involving a huge number of people.
As a result, the quality of the programmes took a quantum leap, breathing life into a real 'jobs and growth' agenda.
We involved regional and local actors, we included people from outside government, notably the civil society, the academic community, the business community and NGOs.
This means that people now identify more strongly with 'Europe', tangible in their own neighbourhood. And they also identify with the growth and jobs agenda – which is no longer an abstract agenda from 'Brussels'.
The big involvement of so many people - so many important multipliers - makes us confident that regions will actually deliver:
The best way to deliver results in terms of jobs and growth is certainly strong ownership combined with real dedication.
The best place to do so is bottom-up, in Europe's regions.

4. Cohesion policy response to globalisation and structural change
What are the results of negotiating with open minds?
Improve accessibility (€ 82 bn, 24% of the funds), with key focus on TEN-T projects (€ 38 bn = 11% of cohesion policy budget or 46% of total transport budget) and sustainable transport (€ 35 bn = 10% of cohesion policy budget). To mention of few types of investments in this area: railways, clean urban transport, regional/local roads.
R&D and innovation is now one of the major priorities in financial terms: € 86 bn, ¼ of the Fund. Hence we make substantial contribution to Lisbon target of 3% of GDP. Investment examples: R&TD infrastructure and centers of competence (€10 bn), measures to stimulate research and innovation in SMEs.
Help develop knowledge-based service economies by investing in ICT services and infrastructure € 15 bn (4% of cohesion budget). Other investment example: service and applications for citizens (e.health, e-government, e-learning etc).
Help businesses, notably SMEs, prepare for global competition, € 27 bn (8%). We work with them to plug them into the global market. Investment examples: technology transfer and improvement of cooperation networks between SMEs
The last two bullets could be covered by Mr. Spidla:
Providing high-quality education and investing more and more effectively in human capital is crucial for Europe’s success in a globalised world. Under the new programmes, some EUR 14 billion have been allocated to help strengthen the ABILITY COMPANIES AND WORKERS to anticipate and manage change.
HUMAN CAPITAL: EUR 26 billion to increase the quality and availability of education and training, with the focus on comprehensive life-long learning systems, fighting early school leaving (EXAMPLES: Portugal, Greece, Italy) and ensuring high-quality education for all. A major part of this sum (76%) is allocated in Convergence regions where the reform of education and training is identified as an imperative challenge for further development. 5

5. Cohesion policy response to challenges of sustainable development, climate change and energy
Improve environment in general (€ 105 bn, 1/3 of budget), we help Member States to comply with the EU environmental acquis, e.g. in the area of waste water treatment.
EXAMPLE: Romania will target 80% of cohesion resources for environment to meet the acquis
Prevent and combat climate change (€ 48 bn, 14 %):
direct investments including in energy efficiency and renewable energies (EUR 9 billion equally shared between the two categories,
indirect measures (sustainable urban transport over EUR 6 billion
many programmes include a specific evaluation system to monitor effects as to the Kyoto of CO2 emission targets, such as OPs of Italy, Czech Republic, France, Malta
A remark should be made that other themes from the Communication (demographic change and capacity building support) are to be covered by presentation of Mr. Spidla

6. Close monitoring of progress to ensure that programmes remain
Looking ahead
Member States and regions have to ensure effective and timely implementation of planned actions.
Close monitoring of progress to ensure that programmes remain
focused on growth and jobs investments
consistent with other Community priorities
adaptable to overcome Europe’s challenges
The negotiations involved thousands of people, the implementation involves millions.
MS and regions have made impressive commitments. The foundations have been laid. On paper, things look impressive.
The big challenge now is delivery. It is crucial to mobilise Europe's potential to make Europe respond to the challenges.
Now we have the instruments that help these commitments become a reality. Seeing whether regions go into the right direction is now easier than ever, because:
We have better indicators, e.g. each programme contains a concrete target on reducing CO2 emissions.
We worked together with MS on selection criteria that allow us to select the best projects.
We have become more transparent and publish the list of beneficiaries. This, too, will help us keep good projects.
MS and regions need to implement their plans, the sooner the better. The quicker they act, the sooner we will see competitive regional economies.
I am optimistic that MS and regions will deliver. Now the ball is in their court. Watch this space! 9