Hungarian Presidency programme and results

in the field of Cohesion Policy

Zsuzsanna Kondor, National Development Agency, Coordination MA

23 June 2011Prague

1. Objectives and strategy of HU PRES in Cohesion Policy

2. Achievements• Council Conclusions and GAC orientation debate• High Level Meeting on the Future of Cohesion Policy• Informal Meeting of Ministers, Presidency Conclusions

3. Conclusion

1. Objectives and strategy of HU PRES in Cohesion Policy

2. Achievements• Council Conclusions and GAC orientation debate• High Level Meeting on the Future of Cohesion Policy• Informal Meeting of Ministers, Presidency Conclusions

3. Conclusion

• Cohesion Policy as a key priority of HU PRES („Stronger EU”)• Strategy responds to challenges in the macro environment of

the EU and the state of play of Cohesion Policy…

Overall objectives• Post-crisis EU, scarce resources emphasise the results, the

importance and the visibility of CP• Level of debate is crucial strengthen the position of CP at a

high political level

Operative goals• 5th Cohesion Report was published just before HU PRES • Concentrate on key issues, facilitate common interpretation,

identify potential consensus areas• Bridge the gap between the Report and the draft legislative

package• Overall red line: not to prejudge discussions on MFF

Objectives and strategy

1. Objectives and strategy of HU PRES in Cohesion Policy

2. Achievements• Council Conclusions and GAC orientation debate• High Level Meeting on the Future of Cohesion Policy• Informal Meeting of Ministers, Presidency Conclusions

3. Conclusion

FebruaryJanuary

2 SAWPs in March

( key topics)

2 SAWPs in March

( key topics)

Events in mainstream Cohesion Policy23 – 24 May

COCOF Stakeholder Dialogue

Budapest

23 – 24 MayCOCOF Stakeholder

Dialogue

Budapest

1 SAWP in April

( key topics)

1 SAWP in April

( key topics)

1 SAWP in May

( key topics)

1 SAWP in May

( key topics)

March April May June

2011

COCOF9 February, 23 March,

20 April, 29 June

COCOF9 February, 23 March,

20 April, 29 June

2 SAWPs in February

( conclusions)

2 SAWPs in February

( conclusions)

4 SAWPs in January

( conclusions)

4 SAWPs in January

( conclusions)

15 – 17 June

Informal SAWP (attaché trip)

Bátonyterenye

15 – 17 June

Informal SAWP (attaché trip)

Bátonyterenye

31 Jan – 1 Feb.Cohesion Forum

Prime Minister’s speech

31 Jan – 1 Feb.Cohesion Forum

Prime Minister’s speech

21 FebruaryGAC

Council Conclusions on the 5th Cohesion Report

Orientation debate

31 March – 1 April

High Level Meeting on the future of Cohesion Policy

Budapest

18 – 20 May

Informal Ministerial Meeting

Gödöllő

1 SAWP in June

( summary)

1 SAWP in June

( summary)

Council Conclusions and orientation debate – 1

Council Conclusions - background • Prepared as a response to the 5th Cohesion Report• Approved by consensus at GAC on 21st February 2011

Council Conclusions - aims• To pinpoint and summarise those issues of the debate

where there is a consensus between MSs• Also to identify those issues where further debate is needed• Provide a common basis for the Council work to follow

during the semester

Council Conclusions – consensual topics• Consensus on the importance of Cohesion Policy• Commitment to further improve the effectiveness and

efficiency of Cohesion Policy through…• …focusing on a limited number of key priorities

– respect the needs and potentials of MSs and regions– alignment with EU2020 to respect objectives of both frameworks

• …an integrated approach– need for better coordination between EU Funds– potential added value of the CSF

• …a clear and transparent delivery system– to be built on our achievements so far

Council Conclusions and orientation debate – 2

Council Conclusions - where further debate is needed• The role and nature of the Development and Investment Partnership

Contract• Menu of thematic objectives to be used in thematic concentration• The system of conditionalities and incentives Related themes in the focal point of Council work Thematic concentration and result-orientation as topics of main events

Orientation debate• On the agenda of the same meeting of the GAC• Reinforced the messages of the Council Conclusions• Commitment to a strong Cohesion Policy expressed at high political

level by Ministers

Council Conclusions and orientation debate – 3

Background• Organised in Budapest on 31st March – 1st April• 150+ participants: MSs, COM, high-level experts

Aims• To highlight the importance of Cohesion Policy as a tool for future

developments…• …and discuss key issues, facilitate common interpretation• Topics selected from areas where further debate needed (GAC)

– Thematic concentration and flexibility– Result-orientation of Cohesion Policy

• Also: integrated approach and possible new methodologies (HU good practice for integrated local development; value analysis)

• Discussion papers issued • Conclusions of the Meeting based on work of sections

Budapest High Level Meeting

Background• Main HU PRES event in the field of Cohesion Policy• Information from all PRES work channelled into IMM• Organised on 19th – 20th May (1st day: territorial cohesion / 2nd:

Cohesion Policy), Royal Palace of Gödöllő• 200+ participants: MSs, candidate countries, EEA/EFTA, COM,

EP, CoR, EESC, OECD, EIB

Aims• To carry on with the debate at high political level and…• …draw conclusions based on the main messages of Ministers• Issue Notes prepared to stimulate discussion on…

– How to be more effective in achieving results?– How to contribute more effectively to the EU2020 Strategy?

• Based on the messages of the debate, Presidency Conclusions

Informal Meeting of Ministers

Importance and nature of Cohesion Policy• Ministers reinforced the importance of a strong Cohesion Policy• Any improvements shall be aligned with characteristics and

added values of the Policy (integrated, bottom-up)

Result-orientation of Cohesion Policy• Strong political commitment to enhancing result-orientation• Role of programming, evaluation/indicators, streamlined delivery

system emphasised • Conditionalities strongly linked with effectiveness of Cohesion

Policy widely supported• Conditions to be in place before expenditure is made (ex-ante)• Reforms in CSR’s are important but should not be set as

conditionalities as they cannot be objectively assessed• Conditionalities should build on principles such as focus, flexibility,

ownership, transparency, accountability, proportionality and simplification

Presidency Conclusions, main messages – 1

Cohesion Policy’s Contribution to EU2020• For tangible results, policies should focus on limited number of

priority objectives• Cohesion Policy contributes to a smart, sustainable and inclusive

growth even in this period• It should continue to be a key tool in the implementation of

EU2020 by translating strategic objectives into actions on the ground

• Will be effective if takes into account different contexts and…• …recognises that different policy-mixes may be needed to deliver

the same objectives

Timing• Called on COM to present legislative proposals in Summer 2011 to

allow for a comprehensive preparation

Presidency Conclusions, main messages – 2

1. Objectives and strategy of HU PRES in Cohesion Policy

2. Achievements• Council Conclusions and GAC orientation debate• High Level Meeting on the Future of Cohesion Policy• Informal Meeting of Ministers, Presidency Conclusions

3. Conclusion

To conclude…

• HU PRES did everything at its disposal to…• …identify bottlenecks, • …discuss implementation aspects • …and progress towards common interpretation of key issues• Hopefully prepared the ground for discussions of draft

regulations…• …contributed to the timely start of post 2013 programmes

Thank you for your attention!

Zsuzsanna Kondor, Director General

Coordination Managing Authority, National Development Agency