Last Steps of the Baltic States Prior to Beginning the Programming Period 2014-2020
On Monday, 2 June, the representatives of the Ministry of Finance of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are meeting in Riga to share their experience in planning the European Union (EU) funds for the next period 2014-2020. During the meeting, the specialists will discuss the comments received from the European Commission (EC) in relation to the developed draft planning documents of the EU funds for the programming period 2014–2020 – Partnership Agreements and Activity Programmes.
“In order to approach to the average level of the EU countries with certainty, the Baltic States shall be able to use smartly and skilfully the opportunities provided by the EU funds. At present, when the planning documents of the new programming period are at the final stage of approval in all three countries, a discussion and exchange of experience is especially important. The final work shall be done in order to prepare qualitatively for the next programming period and to ensure that the implemented projects of the EU funds increase the welfare of a state and of population,” emphasises Minister for Finance Andris Vilks.
Currently, an active work is being made in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia for the EC official approval of the EU funds’ planning documents for 2014-2020. At present moment, all three Baltic States have achieved similar progress in the approval of documents. According to the current calculations by the EC, the Partnership Agreements of all three Baltic States could be approved by the EC in the coming months, the Partnership Agreement of Latvia – already in June. An approval of Activity Programmes results from a time for approving Partnership Agreements.
It was reported previously that within the framework of the Partnership Agreement, Latvia and the EC continued discussions on the priorities set by Latvia as regards environment, on the business aid scheme related to small and medium-sized economic operators as well as on issues in the field of research and innovations, digital growth, energy efficiency, waste disposal, transport and education.
In the draft planning documents there is linking with the EU 2020 smart, sustainable and inclusive growth strategy, National Development Plan 2020 as well as with other planning documents observed. A strategic vision is based on the analysis of deficiencies and needs; however, solutions are directed towards efficient, sustainable development and results. Priority directions and specific aid objectives defined in the planning documents are focused on the achievement of definite results that will provide the largest return for economic development and for raising population’s quality of living.
Information prepared by:
Ieva Raboviča
Senior Expert of Communication Division
Tel.: 67095880
Ieva.Rabovica@fm.gov.lv
