Samuli Pohjamo (ALDE). – (FI) Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, first I wish to thank the rapporteurs for their excellent preparatory work. The proposed amendments to the Structural Funds Regulations will expedite the use of funds and simplify the rules, and so they are really worthy of support. This way we can ensure that Structural Fund money can be spent on recovery and can prevent the adverse impact of the recession on the economy and employment. This is also a good start to the reform of the EU’s structural and regional policy, whose aim must be to simplify and expedite procedures and give a boost to flexibility and the achievement of results.

While we cut bureaucracy with regard to European Union regulations and focus on getting better results, we need to make sure that the Member States are also heading in the same direction. More power needs to be given to the regions and local actors, and central government needs to relax its tight control.