Ministry of Finance asks for more concentrated Cohesion Policy
On Friday, October 2, Deputy State Secretary on Foreign Finance Aid Coordination Issues of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Andžs Ūbelis participates in the high-level meeting in Brussels to discuss about the EU Cohesion Policy goals and further validity with representatives of other European Union (EU) Member States.
Also discussions are planned about more effective approach to policy implementation and acquisition of resources. "Latvia is interested in maintaining initial goal of the Cohesion Policy after 2013 – reducing disparities between the various regions and the backwardness of the least-favoured regions. For Latvia it is important to participate in discussions and defend its national interests to ensure that also after 2013 it will receive the Cohesion Policy support at least at the same level as in the EU funds programming period 2007–2013," explains A. Ūbelis.
Also Latvia is interested in more concentrated Cohesion Policy and in Policy support to each EU region concentrated on limited number of sectors. A. Ūbelis indicates: "Currently the opposite is true when Latvia "tastes" a bit from all dishes in the Cohesion Policy financing "menu" investing in almost all sectors instead of "having a meal" of 3–5 wholesome dishes which would mean that within one programming period 3–5 main sectors are chosen, but in the following period – other sectors."
The goal of the Cohesion Policy is reducing disparities between the various regions and the backwardness of the least-favoured regions. For Latvia, the Cohesion Policy financing is a possibility to increase competitiveness of the country. Also investment of the EU Cohesion Policy (European Social Fund, European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund) is a significant financial mechanism for stabilization of Latvian economy to attract additional resources for business development, export promotion, solving education and welfare issues, as well as development of energy and transport sector.
Latvia’s national position on further Cohesion Policy was considered and approved in the sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers on September 29.
Information prepared by:
Agnese Beļkeviča
Press Division
Phone 67083938
Agnese.Belkevica@fm.gov.lv
