The European Commission has
adopted a "Partnership Agreement" with Germany setting down the strategy
for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment Funds in the
country's regions and cities. Today’s agreement paves the way for € 19.2
billion (current prices including European Territorial Cooperation
funding) in total Cohesion Policy funding and €8.3 billion for rural
development to be invested in the country’s real economy. The allocation
under Fisheries and Maritime Policy will be finalised and published
this summer. The EU investments will boost competitiveness, tackle
unemployment and growth through support to innovation, the low carbon
economy and training and education. They will also promote
entrepreneurship, fight social exclusion and strive for an
environmentally friendly and a resource-efficient economy.
The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are:
-
The Cohesion Fund
Commenting on the adoption, Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn said: "Today we have adopted a vital, strategic investment plan that sets Germany
on the path to jobs and growth for the next 10 years. This plan will
help Germany strengthen its innovation capacities, respond to its
regional, environmental and energy needs and help promote its
entrepreneurial potential in order to compete in a globalised world. It
will also contribute to Germany's continuous effort in reducing regional
disparities within the country. This Partnership Agreement reflects the
European Commission and Germany's joint
determination to make sure that our investments are strategic, according
to the new Cohesion Policy focusing on the real economy, on sustainable
growth and investing in people. But quality not speed is the paramount
aim and in the coming months we are fully dedicated to negotiating the
best possible outcome for investments from the European Structural and
Investment Funds in 2014-2020. Commitment is needed from both sides to
ensure good quality programmes are put in place.”
On Germany, Commissioner Hahn added: "This
investment strategy builds on the important contribution Germany is
already making to help the EU meet its goals of green growth for all.
Germany now has a firm base in this Partnership Agreement that covers
all Structural and Investment Funds and gives strategic direction to
future programmes that will enhance innovation, transform German SMEs
into models of sustainable and smart growth, and secure Germany's
competitiveness in the world. The ESI Funds are helping German regions and cities live up to these challenges."
Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Lázló Andor said:...
"I
congratulate Germany for finalising its Partnership Agreement so quickly
as a result of its very close collaboration with the Commission and I
urge other Member States to follow Germany's good example. I am very
pleased that Germany has decided to dedicate 41% of the Cohesion Policy
funding under the growth and jobs objective to the European Social Fund
(ESF), so as to ensure ESF-funded actions can have a significant impact
on meeting the EU2020 employment and poverty targets. The ESF will help
to prepare German society for the future by ensuring that untapped human
resources are made available to the labour market and can contribute to
economic growth."
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Cioloş said:
“I am
delighted that we are adopting the German Partnership Agreement today.
With this framework now defined, each of the Länder will have more
clarity to draft their Rural Development Programmes in the coming months
and submit them to the Commission for approval. Rural Development is a
vital pillar of our Common Agricultural Policy, addressing elements
relating to economic, environmental and social issues in rural areas,
but in a way which allows Member States or regions to design programmes
suitable for their own specific situations and priorities. The concept
of Partnership Agreements is very important to ensure that national or
regional authorities, when drafting their Rural Development programmes,
have an approach which is coherent with plans that they are drafting for
other EU structural measures in order to complement and be coordinated
with such schemes where possible and thereby obtain a greater efficiency
in the use of EU taxpayers’ money.”
Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki said:
"Together with the other funds, the
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund it will help unlock the sort of
growth and jobs which we need in Europe and which we are committed to
making a reality. It will finance projects in Germany to help fishermen
and coastal communities adapt to the new Common Fisheries Policy. We
will not prescribe how every single cent should be spent; it is about
letting those who know their craft, industry, and local regions best to
work towards a sustainable future for their own communities."
All Partnership Agreements have
now been received by the Commission. Their adoption should follow, after
a process of consultation.
