Hübner underlines the role of regions in achieving the Lisbon goals
Europe's regions need the Lisbon agenda for growth and jobs, but equally, the Lisbon process itself depends on the active participation of Europe's regions. This was the point underlined by the Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner, at a conference in Brussels on 3 March. Commissioner Hübner was outlining her vision of a 'new partnership with the regions for growth and jobs' at a gathering of some 500 elected regional leaders and policy experts. She also revealed how the Commission's proposed reform of EU regional policy would contribute to the Lisbon process. 'Objectives of the Lisbon agenda and those of European regional policy are closely intertwined and mutually reinforcing,' Ms Hübner said. 'Competitiveness and growth need to be taken to the local and regional levels - this is where jobs are created and long term competitiveness built.' Referring to the conclusions of the Kok report on the mid term review of the Lisbon process, the Commissioner identified several areas in particular where she believes that regional policy can provide a substantial contribution. First, the Kok report called on the EU to back up its words on Lisbon with financial incentives from the common budget, and Ms Hübner pointed to the financial instruments within the EU's regional policy that could be used to remove structural barriers to growth and create sustainable jobs and growth. In addition, the Kok report highlighted the lack of ownership of the Lisbon process within Member States, as well as the need for national action plans. Due to an approach based on partnerships, the EU's regional programmes encourage ownership, said Ms Hübner, and respond to the particular needs on the ground rather than trying to implement 'one size fits all' solutions. Whereas some Member States and regions focus on technology, and others on infrastructure, the overall result for the EU is more competitiveness, more jobs and more growth, added the Commissioner. The Commission has proposed extensive reform of the EU's regional policy for the next financial perspective, explained Ms Hübner, reflecting the Commission's desire to see the EU budget contribute more effectively to the Lisbon agenda. The most radical changes relate to actions carried out outside of the EU's poorest regions. 'We propose to keep 18 per cent of the budget for use in regions that, though they are not the poorest, still face competitiveness and unemployment challenges.' This is a specific response to the limited success of the Lisbon strategy, particularly in the fields of research and development (R&D) and innovation, accessibility and sustainable development, Ms Hübner revealed. Having outlined the nature of the Commission's proposed reforms, the Commissioner stressed that they are closely bound up with the financing arrangements contained within the draft financial perspectives for 2007-2013. 'To be credible, cohesion policy needs adequate resources. And this is not the moment to slash funding. The Commission has made a highly responsible proposal. Its significant reduction will have very negative consequences and lead to deep divisions between our Member States,' she concluded.