Hübner: Cohesion is 'cornerstone' of EU growth, and research will drive growth
The European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner, outlined how she believes cohesion policy will be the driving force behind sustained European Economic growth. 'The EU's new cohesion policy will focus on creating growth and jobs and cooperation between cities and their regions will be key to its success,' she said on 15 June, on the first day to her visit to West Netherlands, as part of the Dutch National Reform Programme under the Lisbon agenda. Policies and measures to increase cohesion, and create genuine open markets are essential steps identified in the recent expert Aho-group report, published in January, and since enthusiastically adopted by Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik. Strong internal cohesion will give regions the opportunity to compete more effectively both in the internal European markets and internationally. 'We are working closely with national and regional authorities in the preparations for the new programming period. Together we need to intensify our efforts so that the new programmes can start in the beginning of 2007,' she said. A set of guidelines for the reform of the cohesion policy, written in 2005, focuses on four main areas: knowledge, in particular research and development (R&D) and education; improving opportunities for enterprise, especially for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs); getting more people into work; and energy. All these areas have implications for researchers, and are crucial to a strong research infrastructure in the EU, which will in turn generate lead markets, to drive economic growth. The new cohesion policy 2007-2013 will drive those four areas through three main objectives: convergence to stimulate growth and employment in the less-developed regions; regional competitiveness and employment for the rest of the EU; and greater cooperation between different Member States. Cohesion policy will be finalised in the autumn of 2006, following approval by the European Parliament and Council.
Countries
Netherlands