EC and Latvia Starts a Dialogue on the Principles Regarding the Use of EU Funds After 2013
On Tuesday, December 4th, an informal dialogue between EC and Latvia has begun during the presentation of the position of EC by the European Commission (EC) representatives at the European Union (EU) House concerning the preparation of the planning documents of EU funds for 2014–2020. As a result, in the next year it should be agreed upon the principles regarding the use of resources of EU funds* after 2013.
Presentation of the position paper of EC to the parties concerned is considered the beginning of officious consultations between EC and Latvia, the objective of which is to ensure the efficient and qualitative development of the planning documents – partnership agreement and action programme. EC guidelines on the next budget period of EU funds were set forth by the specialists in regional policy, employment and social affairs as well as by the specialists in the sectors of agriculture. Latvia’s party was represented by the employees of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Cross-Sectoral Coordination centre.
Zoltan Kazatsay, Deputy Head of EC’s Director General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion has emphasized: ”It is very important that funds were concentrated according to the thematic priorities and not scattered in too many parts, which would allow to transform the results of contributions into the specific measurable indicators. It is also important to reduce the bureaucracy of funds, at the same time preserving the quality of supervision.”
Parliamentary Secretary of MoF Karina Korna has stressed: “Cohesion Policy investments are and will be the key to the growth of Latvia’s national economy. It is a contribution to improvement in the quality of life of Latvia’s population and an opportunity to approximate the quality of life of Latvia’s residents to EU average index. In order to continue the development of Latvia, it is important to raise the efficiency of EU funds and retain the amounts of investments for 2014-2020 planning period. MoF in cooperation with partners and EC will make all necessary preparations to strengthen the Cohesion Policy as clever growth policy and strengthen its’ contribution in the development of national economy.”
“We agree with the objective stated by EC that in the next 2014-2020 planning period the main stress should be put on the development of national economy, including the stimulation of production in particular, as it gives work places, income to employees, taxes to the member states and higher added value to products and services, what will stimulate economic jump in the most direct way. The development in agriculture, fishing and forest industry is undoubtedly of big importance to us. Therefore the EC objective concerning the development of national economy should be clearly reflected in the resources provided in the action programmes of rural and fishing industry, which the Ministry of Agriculture intends to allocate as investments for the support of farms and enterprises to increase competitiveness,” points out Aivars Lapiņš, Deputy Secretary of State of MoA.
Stating a budget proposal for 2014-2020, EC has suggested a new approach to the use of the resources of EU funds – close cohesion with a growth strategy Europe 2020 (it prescribes, for example, more investments in science and education, higher employment, lesser poverty), the concentration of particular funds for the achievement of common objectives, more macro-regional cooperation, for example, the fulfilment of preconditions before the receipt of funding within the framework of the Baltic Sea Strategy. In the next year EC expects to make arrangements with all countries on the most important planning documents of EU funds – partnership agreements as well as action programmes.
In a close dialogue with EC and partners, MoF will develop the planning documents of EU funds, which will be submitted to EC for approval until June 30th next year. As reported previously, at present active negotiations are being carried out on EU multiannual budget, the result of which will determine the amount of EU funding available to Latvia.
A document with the position of EC for a dialogue with Latvia can be received by contacting the European Commission’s representation office in Latvia (sanita.jemberga@ec.europa.eu). Presentations from the event will be available on the homepage of the European Commission.
*European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Fund (CF), European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)
Presentations from the event on the beginning of the dialogue can be viewed here. Position of the European Commission in a dialogue with Latvia can be found here.
Information prepared by:
Lelde Kaunese
Deputy Head of Communication Division
Tel.: 67083938,
lelde.kaunese@fm.gov.lv
