Eurocommissaris Hübner bezoekt Tsjechië en zal een toespraak houden over de toekomst van het regionaal beleid (en)
On 26-27 March, Danuta Hübner i, Commissioner for Regional Policy, will visit the Czech region of Central Moravia and address a major conference in Prague on the future EU Cohesion Policy. The conference, which takes place on the first day of her visit, is organised by the Czech Presidency of the European Union and forms part of the ongoing reflection on the future priorities and future budget of the EU.
Ahead of the event, Commissioner Hübner stated: "It may sound like a paradox, but the greater the challenge posed by globalisation, the greater the need for Europe to capitalise on its local and regional assets to boost its competitiveness. The regional and local level is best-placed to find local solutions to meet the challenges posed by the economic crisis, climate change, ageing populations and energy security. We need to adapt Cohesion Policy to the 'global new deal'."
Shaping the Cohesion Policy of tomorrow
What are the most important lessons learned from the implementation of the EU's Cohesion Policy until now? What Cohesion Policy will the EU need beyond 2013? Academics, policy-makers and practitioners have been invited by the Czech Presidency to respond to these questions at its conference. Vladimir Špidla i, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, will also take part in the debate.
The conference will build on discussions at the European Summit of Regions and Cities (IP/09/358) held in Prague on 6 March and will also feed into the debate which will take place at the upcoming meeting of EU Regional Ministers in Mariánské Lázne on 23 and 24 April.
On 27 April, an independent report setting out recommendations for the future EU Cohesion Policy will be unveiled in Brussels by eminent Italian economist Fabrizio Barca.
Regional Visit to Central Moravia
On 26 March, Commissioner Hübner will meet Martin Tesarik and Stanislav Mišák, the Hejtmans (governors) of the regions of Olomouc and Zlin. The Archbishop of Olomouc, Jan Graubner, will provide an overview of plans for renovating the historic Archbishop's Residence (EU contribution: €950 000). The Commissioner will also hear about the region's plans for its future territorial development from local representatives, including Lubomir Dvorak, rector of Palacky University in Olomouc.
On 27 March, in Kromer?ž, Commissioner Hübner will meet members of the regional council of the Zlin region. In the Town Hall, she will attend a presentation on several EU projects, including plans for upgrading and expanding hotel facilities in Luhacovice, a well-known spa resort. It is expected that these developments will lead to the creation of at least 38 new jobs (EU contribution: €3.8million). Danuta Hübner will also visit a project to convert the former military barracks in Kromer?ž into a public square which will host an amphitheatre, playground and parking places. (EU support: €900 000).
In total, Central Moravia will benefit from €657 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for 2007-2013. The programme will help develop transport infrastructure (roads and public transport), contribute to the regeneration of the region (better services, support to enterprises) and promote the development of tourism (see MEMO/07/565).
In the context of the economic crisis, the Commission has also taken several measures to accelerate and simplify the use of the EU funding. In particular, Central Moravia has already benefited from an advance payment of €46 million since 2007 to support investment and is due to receive a further €13 million in April under the European Economic Recovery Plan.
Background
The main aim of the EU's Cohesion Policy in the Czech Republic is to reduce disparities between regions undergoing rapid development (such as Prague) and poorer regions which benefit from more support. Central Moravia is covered by the policy's "Convergence Objective”, which provides more funding for regions where GDP per inhabitant is less than 75% of the Community average.
The Czech Republic as a whole has been allocated almost €30 billion in 2007-2013 – the highest aid intensity per capita in the EU. It will receive €13.7 billion from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), €8.8 billion from the Cohesion Fund, €3.8 billion from the European Social Fund (ESF), €2.8 billion from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and € 400 million for territorial cooperation.
More on European regional policy in the Czech Republic: