The AER and EU Cohesion policy: assessing the present and anticipating for the future

The main objective of cohesion policy is to diminish the gap between different regions, more precisely between less-favoured regions and affluent ones. It is an instrument of financial solidarity and a powerful force for economic integration.

AER is now reflecting on the future programming period and the transformations cohesion policy should go through at that time. To the end, it is carrying it out a number of activities to gather as much information as possible coming from the ground implementation.

Relevant news

: Source: European Commission

AER workshop on structural funds: What kind of structural funds do we want to implement from 2014 onwards?

1st workshop: Indicators - 20 April, Brussels (AER Offices)

To express your interest, please contact Estelle DELANGLE

Description of the workshops' concept

Draft programme

IMPORTANT

Open Letter to José Manuel Barroso

On 23rd October 2009, AER reacted to an EC internal working paper, entitled "Draft Communication to the European Parliament and Council"proposing “a reform agenda for a global Europe [reforming the budget, changing Europe]”.

This draft communication raised concerns at AER, expressed in the open letter below.

For more information, please contact Christina Diegelmann.

AER Open Letter to Mr Barroso, President of the European Commission

Letter to the attention of the Members of the European Parliament / Draft communication by the European Commission, “Reforming the budget, changing Europe"

AER, along with AEBR, REGLEG, CPMR, CEMR, EUROCITIES, AEM, have sent a letter to all Members of the European Parliament on Tuesday 3rd November 2009, reacting strongly to the draft communication mentioned above.

For more information, please contact Christina Diegelmann

Letter by AER and all interregional organisations to MEPs

Main AER positions adopted in 2008 and 2009

AER Recommendations for the future of cohesion policy 2013+
AER official position on future cohesion policy, based on several declarations adopted since 2007 and on the reflection work carried out by the AER Task Force on cohesion policy, chaired by Thomas Andersson, County Councillor in Jämtland (S).

AER Recommendations

Official AER contribution to the EC Green Paper on territorial cohesion
Published after carrying out a consultation of all AER members.

AER contribution to the EC consultation on the Green paper on territorial cohesion, 26 February 2009

AER 1st reaction to the EC Green Paper The AER adopted its reaction to the EC Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion at its General Assembly on 13 November 2008, in Tampere (FIN).

AER Reaction to the EC Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion, 13 November 2008

AER position on cohesion policy: 2008
The Assembly of European Regions (AER) adopted this political position on future cohesion policy 2014+ at its political Bureau on 11 June 2008, in Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie (PL).

AER Position on future cohesion policy, 11 June 2008

The AER study on future regional policy 2014+ was published in January 2008. Outcome of a consultation to which 60 Regions from over 22 European Countries, participated.

AER Study on Future Regional Policy 2014+

Short Presentation of the main outcomes

Executive summary

Joint AER-Eurisy position: More EU funds for satellite information and services (SIS)
This paper was adopted by the AER Bureau in Wroclaw, on 11 June 2008. It calls for enhanced synergies between FP7 funds and Structural funds, in order to allow Regions to better plan the funding and use of SIS in their regional development policy.

AER/Eurisy Position adopted by the AER Bureau on 11 June 2008 in Wroclaw

: Thomas Andersson, chairman of the AER task force on cohesion policy

Past AER events

A European dialogue on interregional co-operation (2 October 2006, Strasbourg, France)

Third AER Conference on the future of European Cohesion and Regional Policy (15 October 2004, Eger, Heves, Hungary)

Second AER Conference on the future of European Cohesion and Regional Policy (5-6 June 2003, Calabria, Italy)

First AER Conference on the future of European Cohesion and Regional Policy (14-15 November 2002, Pecs, Baranya, Hungary)

Past lobbying activities

Past and current AER activities in the field of cohesion policy

On 4 April 2006, Mrs Commissioner Danuta Hübner, in charge of regional policy, has met Mr Adrien ZELLER, President of the Regional Council of Alsace and Vice-President of the AER and Mr Klaus KLIPP, Secretary General of the AER.

Outcome of the meeting

Mr Onno HOES, President of Committee C and Mr Klipp, Secretary General met Mrs Hübner on 21 January 2005 to discuss the Commission's proposals for the new cohesion policy.

Outcomes of the meeting

Interesting documents

Manifesto for cross-border cooperation in Europe, Mission Transfrontalière Européenne

Also available in FR and DE .

4th Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, adopted by the European Commission on 30/05/2007

Draft outlook opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the leverage effect of the structural funds

Rapport du Parlement Européen sur le 3e rapport sur la cohésion (14/04/2004)

Position du Comité Economique et Social sur le 3e rapport sur la cohésion (06/2004)

"Construire un avenir commun: les défis politiques budgétaires dans l'Union élargie 2007 - 2013", opinion du Comité Economique et Social (09/2004)

"A la recherche d'un consensus: le débat sur la réforme de la politique de cohésion de l'UE", Robert BACHTLER et Fiona WISHLADE, Rapport du centre de recherche sur les politiques européennes "European Policies Research Centre"

Rapport "Fonds structurels européens et politique régionale", rapport de l'instance d'évaluation du gouvernement français, présidée par Patrice Magnier

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