Put an end to the recurrent liquidity-related problems of cohesion policy

The EPP Group today underlined its expectations regarding cohesion policy: it is of the utmost importance to resolve liquidity-related problems! Quicker payments are needed if cohesion policy is to contribute to higher employment and economic growth.

"A strong cohesion policy is indispensable for job creation and economic growth. The Sixth Cohesion Report provides an excellent opportunity to emphasise the significance and uniqueness of this policy," said MEP Tamás Deutsch, responsible for the report in the EPP Group. "At a time when increased attention is paid to the Juncker Plan, it is important to underline that cohesion policy and the Juncker Plan have to be complementary and mutually reinforcing," he emphasised, while adding that, in order to re-launch growth and boost employment, it is imperative to put an end to the recurrent liquidity-related problems of cohesion policy and to take concrete steps to significantly reduce the backlog in payments.

Lambert van Nistelrooij, EPP Group Coordinator in the Committee on Regional Development, pointed out that simplification is of great importance. "Management authorities all over the EU suffer from large burdens in the execution of cohesion policy. They suffer from audits on top of audits, long delays before beneficiaries receive money for projects and complex and detailed reporting requirements on performance criteria. The EPP Group is taking concrete steps in this area and later this year we will organise a public hearing for stakeholders on ways to improve the situation," said Mr. Van Nistelrooij.

Today the Committee on Regional Development adopted, by an overwhelming majority, a report on "Investment for jobs and growth: promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union" (the Sixth Cohesion Report), the most important report in the field of cohesion policy in the 2014-2019 parliamentary term. The European Parliament's position on the Sixth Cohesion Report is expected to be adopted at its plenary meeting in September.