The European Commission has
adopted a "Partnership Agreement" with Greece setting down the strategy
for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment Funds in the
country's regions and cities for 2014-2020. Today’s agreement paves the way for Greece's return to recovery and growth, and its transformation into a productive economy. It sets out how €15.52 billion in total Cohesion Policy funding in current prices and
€4.2 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 tackle unemployment, to create good lasting jobs boosting and
growth through support to innovation, the low carbon economy and
training and education. They will also promote entrepreneurship, fight against social exclusion and make an important contribution to 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 Greece has adopted a vital investment plan that ensures the country continues on
the path to economic recovery and renewed growth for the coming decade.
This Partnership Agreement reflects the commitment of both the European
Commission and Greece to make the most of
valuable EU funding and ensure the Greek economy gets back on track. Our
investments will be 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 operational
programmes for investments from the European Structural and Investment
Funds in 2014-2020. Commitment is needed from both sides to ensure that
good quality programmes are put in place.”
Commissioner Hahn added: "Today's
agreement sets the foundations for a new growth model in Greece, thanks
to EU investments. The adoption of the Partnership Agreement represents a timely support for current Greece's efforts to exit from the crisis. Important strategic choices have been made to invest in the competitiveness
and innovation of SMEs, sustainable job creation and tackling
unemployment through capacity building and development of human
resources. This and environmental protection, the modernisation
of public administration and promotion of structural and administrative
reforms as well as developing and completing key infrastructures
are among the key strategic choices that will produce visible results
in the near future. Greece has made smart choices and prioritised its
investments accordingly. Tourism,
energy, agro-food, environment, blue economy and logistics, will be the
primary drivers for growth and jobs, while culture, specialised health
services, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, ICT, waste management, trade and
freight transport services will also play a prominent role for Greece's
future growth model.
Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor said:
“I
congratulate Greece for finalising its Partnership Agreement so quickly
as a result of its intense collaboration with the Commission and I look
forward to continuing this effort with other member states concerning
their Operational Programmes. I am very pleased that Greece has decided
to dedicate 31.13% of the Structural Funds resources under the growth
and jobs objective - or nearly €4 billion - to the European Social Fund
(ESF), in order to help move towards Greece's 2020 targets on
increasing employment and reducing poverty. ESF investments will
support the country's economic reconstruction by
supporting entrepreneurship and job creation, improving the education
and vocational training systems and modernising public administration.
It will also support the most vulnerable people in society by helping to
improve access to public services.”
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dacian Cioloş said:...
“This Greek
partnership agreement is an important step forward for elaborating and
implementing a successful rural development policy in Greece,
facilitating better coordination and synergies with other EU Funds and
therefore providing more efficient investment. Greece's agriculture and
its rural areas have a large potential and many strengths, but they are
also facing considerable challenges, not least as a result of the
economic crisis. The partnership agreement recognises the important role
that agriculture and the agi-food industry can play in the economic
recovery, while setting the stage for safeguarding the country's
natural resources and addressing social issues in its rural areas. It
is now up to Greece to propose an ambitious, balanced and well-targeted
rural development plan that can provide opportunities for farmers and
rural areas to address these challenges.”
Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki said:
"The European
Maritime and Fisheries Fund is about investing in local coastal
communities to help them unlock the development and jobs needed to face
the crisis. The great change we have introduced was to increase European
funding to small scale fisheries and to the local economy in order to
secure a better future of our fishermen and coastal communities. For
Greece in particular, the greatest challenge but also the most promising
opportunity is to boost the country's Blue Growth potential, taking
advantage of its longstanding tradition and experience in marine and
maritime sectors: maritime tourism, marine energy, bottom sea
exploitation and aquaculture in addition to maritime transport and port
development. We will not prescribe how every single cent should be
spent. There is flexibility to let the Greek authorities and those who
know their craft best - industry and local regions - to work towards a
sustainable future for their own communities."
All Partnership Agreements have now been received by the Commission. Their adoption will follow after a process of consultation.
