Cypriotisch voorzitterschap presenteert resultaten cohesiebeleid (en)

As the Cyprus Presidency is drawing to a close, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis, provided the Committee of Regional Development of the European Parliament (EP) today, December 17, 2012, with a brief overview on the progress achieved during the last six months, in relation to cohesion policy.

Cyprus’ Deputy Minister referred to the progress achieved in relation to cohesion policy during the Cyprus Presidency and, in particular, to the two partial general approaches reached in the General Affairs Council, in October and November this year.

A key tool for stimulating investment, growth and employment opportunities

Ambassador Mavroyiannis stressed that these agreements were of particular importance “as cohesion policy constitutes a key tool for stimulating investment, growth and employment opportunities, as well as for carrying out structural reforms across the Union”.

“Significant progress has been made in the Council, given that a substantial part of the regulatory framework is now preliminarily agreed between the Member States,” he added.

He continued by saying that: “our goal was to work intensively at the Council and with the European Parliament in order to facilitate the timely adoption of the relevant sectoral legislation and ensure the effectiveness of the related policies and programmes”.

Constructive spirit of cooperation

Ambassador Mavroyiannis also thanked the Committee for the constructive spirit of cooperation and the pace with which the negotiations with the EP on the relevant proposals have progressed. He highlighted that one of the main priorities of the Presidency was to conclude the negotiations on the Strategic Programming bloc, so as to provide Member States with necessary legal certainty in the preparation and implementation of their programmes.

“Substantial ground has already been covered and the co-legislators are very close to an agreement. This preliminary agreement will convey a strong message to the European citizens that our Union makes every effort to facilitate the regions to invest out of the crisis taking due consideration of the active role of all partners in the process.” he concluded.