Financiering van waardevolle EU programma's moeten worden gewaarborgd in financieel kader (en)

Cyprus’s Minister of Interior stressed the need the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2014-2020 should reflect reality, during her speech at the European i Parliament on the occasion of the opening of the Open Days 2012.

Minister of Interior, Ms Eleni Mavrou, gave a keynote address on behalf of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Demetris Christofias, in the European Parliament at the opening of the OPEN DAYS 2012, which celebrates the European Week of Regions and Cities. The events commenced today, with the Opening Session of the 10th European Week of Regions and Cities in the European Parliament (EP i). During the Opening Session of OPEN DAYS 2012, keynote speeches were also given by the President of the EP, Mr Martin Schulz i, the President of the European Council, Mr Herman Van Rompuy, and the President of the European Commission, Mr Josè Manuel Barroso i.

The Opening Session addressed the regional aspects of the cohesion policy, in an aim to demonstrate that it has an added value in spurring Europe’s economic recovery, encouraging ownership of the 2020 strategy and increasing economic, social and territorial cohesion. In her address, Minister Mavrou stressed that “cohesion policy has a significant role to play in transforming territorial diversity within the EU i into an asset, through an integrated approach and by fully incorporating its territorial dimension, as established in the Lisbon Treaty.”

The expenses should be targeted

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event and is entitled “Europe’s regions and cities: Making a difference”. The event will be held amidst discussions in the EP regarding the legislative framework for cohesion policy 2014-2020 and on-going negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework.

“The Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 is at the top of Cyprus Presidency agenda, aiming to achieve progress in the negotiations and reach an agreement by the end of 2012, as mandated by the June 2012 European Council” Minister Mavrou stated.

In reference to the current economic climate and the future of the EU budget, Minister Mavrou added that the aim of the Presidency, in its role as an honest broker, is to try to bring opposite sides closer and finding an agreement that can be accepted by all stakeholders - Member States, the European Parliament, the Commission and all other institutions of the Union.

“In this period of difficult economic times and uncertainties, our aim is to actually mirror and reflect the reality of the situation. Within this context, the concept of quality of spending should be predominant in the new MFF, in order to ensure that programmes of real European added value will be financed”

The events, which are jointly organised by the European Commission Directorate-General for Regional Policy and the Committee of the Regions, are expected to attract an audience of 6,000 local and regional stakeholders and over 200 regions and cities from 33 countries. Over 100 seminars and workshops will take place in which stakeholders will discuss Europe’s growth and jobs strategy.