Cohesion policy

13.5.2015

Question for written answer E-007740-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Fulvio Martusciello (PPE)

The widespread nature of the financial crisis is one of the main factors behind the dramatic slowdown in cohesion policy — whilst it is true that investments in cohesion have stabilised many regions by guaranteeing a flow of liquidity, it is also true that the current economic revival has hindered attempts to balance out inequalities between different areas.

The European Structural and Investment Funds are becoming more and more crucial to achieving the objectives identified in the Europe 2020 strategy, above all with regards to combating poverty and reducing unemployment.

The right course of action is to support improvements to spending capacity and the offering of high‐quality public services by ensuring that streamlined procedures play a key role.

In order to contribute towards the creation of a more prosperous and positive state of affairs, cohesion policy must become a truly effective tool once more.

1. In light of the above, can the Commission please indicate the most appropriate tools for streamlining procedures?

2. How significant could the results of an effectively simplified cohesion policy be, and how can bureaucratic procedures be streamlined in order to bring European countries in line with the best in the world?