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, to be more precise, to reduce the gap between less-favoured regions and affluent ones. It is an instrument of financial solidarity and a powerful force for economic integration.

The AER launched a task force on EU cohesion policy post-2013

The aim of this reflection group is to forsee, prepare, draft and finalise a White Paper on how the EU cohesion policy could look like after 2013, according to a series of different possible scenarios defined by the group, on the basis of current EU developments.

Terms of reference and working methodologies

: Source: European Commission

The AER has published a study on future regional policy 2014+. This in-depth study is the outcome of a consultation among 260 AER member regions from 33 countries which ran over 7 weeks from September until 31st of October 2007. 60 Regions from more than 22 European Countries, EU- and non-EU members, participated in the consultation. The geographical as well as socio-economic dispersion among the respondent Regions was highly interesting. This study, prepared by the AER Committee 1 Secretariat, has been coordinated by the AER task force on future regional policy, chaired by Jämtland and composed of representatives from various Regions of Europe.

AER Study on Future Regional Policy 2014+

Short Presentation of the main outcomes

Executive summary

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) published its first political position on future cohesion policy post 2013, adopted at its Bureau on 7 September in Istanbul

AER Recommendations on Cohesion Policy post 2013

Main events

2nd Meeting with Dirk Ahner, Director General of DG Regio, 13 December 2007
3rd meeting of the working group on cohesion policy, 14 December 2007, Brussels
2nd meeting of the AER refelction group on cohesion policy post-2013, 4th September 2007, Brussels and first Meeting with Dirk Ahner, Director General of DG Regio, 5 September 2007
1st meeting of the AER task force on cohesion, 15 June Strasbourg

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Relevant news

Questionnaire on future cohesion policy post 2013

It is extremely important to us that the Regions are fully involved in the future processes that will determine the strategy of the European Union to overcome the challenges of cohesion policy. To this end, we call upon you to reflect your experiences and challenges faced in the last and current programming period and to underline the target approach of cohesion policy after 2013 of your Region. By filling out the questionnaire, your Regions interests will be taken into account in the debate on future cohesion policy. The deadline for submitting your questionnaire is the 31st October 2007. The AER is appreciating your contribution and hopes for a lot of fruitful comments from your side!

4th EU Cohesion Forum 27-28 September 2007, Brussels

International Conference: The contribution of the regional and local institutions to the cohesion policy, Osimo (Ancona) Italy, 4-5 October 2007

Main AER positions

AER Recommendations on Cohesion Policy post 2013 (2007)

Final declaration on Interregional co-operation (2006)

AER Reaction to the European Commission's State aid Action plan (2005)

AER Reaction to the draft Community Strategic Guidelines 2007-2013 for Cohesion Policy (2005)

AER reaction to the 3rd report on social and economic cohesion, published by the European Commission in February (2004)

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

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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