1. Further indicative guidelines for the candidate countries 2004-2006 Eric von Breska - April 2003

2. Objective of the guidelines l To help national and regional authorities to prepare their programming strategy for each of the Objectives 1, 2 and 3 of the Structural Funds and their links with the Cohesion Fund so as to make the best possible use of Community assistance.

3. Which document(s) to use? l The communication of the Commission of 1 September 1999 remains the reference document. l The additional guidelines take account of the particular situation of the acceding countries. l This document does not replace but complements the document of 1999.

4. The context: l A shorter programming period: 2004-2006 instead of 2000-2006 l Limited administrative capacity in terms of programming, implementation and monitoring l Most of the regions of the acceding countries are among the 25% of regions with the lowest GDP per capita in an enlarged EU

5. Consequences of this situation: l Do not envisage to treat and solve all problems within 3 years, but make choices l Establish priorities which allow to concentrate the Funds on the most urgent needs l Support the factors which lead to a real convergence of regions l Base your strategy on productivity and lay the foundations for strong job creation.

6. 3 essential conditions to succeed: 3 essential conditions to succeed: l anticipation: prepare the programming documents before accession l Simplify implementation l Limit the number of interventions, priorities and measures by making clear choices which put the emphasis on the most urgent needs.

7. Do not forget: l Define a clear strategy l Ensure the coherence between the different interventions and the envisaged priorities l Take account of the real absorption capacity

8. The guidelines l Joint institutional needs l Sectorial needs –infrastructure and equipment –transport –environment –energy –fisheries –agriculture et rural development –justice et home affairs –employment and human resources –research and development –enterprise and innovation policy –information society