MoF: Latvia Will Continue a Dialogue with the EC on the EU Funds Partnership Agreement for the 2014-2020
On Thursday, 20 March, Latvia received the official comments from the European Commission (EC) regarding the Partnership Agreement of European Structural Funds and Investment Funds for 2014-2020 Programming Period submitted on 15 January this year. Thus, Latvia is still one of the first EU Member States which successfully prepares for beginning the new period. The EC comments received indicate a necessity to continue Latvia’s dialogue with the EC.
Primarily, in the comments there was a necessity to increase funding for environment emphasized. In the opinion of the EC, the funding that currently has been allocated for environment is insufficient to fulfil the requirements prescribed by the Directive. At the same time, it was proposed to reconsider environmental priorities set by Latvia, inter alia a necessity to shift funding from culture and sport objects.
According to the EC, it is necessary to reconsider the aid scheme for business aimed to improve small and medium-sized economic operators. Similarly, in the opinion of the EC, some of ex-ante conditions (pre-conditions) have not been fulfilled in the field of research and innovation, digital growth, energy efficiency, waste management, transport and education.
Last week, there were several meetings held during which the involved parties has agreed on further steps and on a necessity for specific discussions as regards the EU funding for research and innovations. It should be noted that the EC comments are not surprising as these have already been discussed at the national level, by a participation of the representatives of sectors.
In cooperation with responsible line ministries and the Cross-Sectoral Coordination Centre, the comments received will be evaluated accurately and will be included in the updated document of the Partnership Agreement. Currently, the responsible line ministries have been instructed to prepare the action plans until 3 April 2014 for fulfilment of ex-ante conditions. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance as the Managing Authority of the European Union (EU) funds is working out a subsequent time schedule for updating the Partnership Agreement.
On 4 March this year, Latvia has submitted to the EC also the action programme “Growth and Employment” for the next 2014-2020 programming period of the EU funds, and in the coming months there are official comments expected about this programme.
Information prepared by:
Ieva Raboviča
Senior Expert of Communication Division
Tel.: 67083880
Ieva.Rabovica@fm.gov.lv
