Greater focus on results in cohesion policy

31.5.2017

Question for written answer E-003648-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Hannu Takkula (ALDE)

One of the innovations introduced in cohesion policy in recent years has been that, if the ineffective and inadequate management of Member States’ macroeconomic and financial policies weakens the impact of EU funding on countries’ economic growth and employment, the Commission may ask Member States to review their programmes or suspend funding.

What view does the Commission take of how successfully the objective of increasing Member States’ focus on results has been pursued in order to establish clearer, measurable goals to improve States’ accountability?

The Commission has estimated the economic impact of cohesion policy in the 2014-2020 period to be around EUR 450 billion. However, it has been observed that nothing is yet known about the effectiveness of the measures for this period.

When will the Commission be able to confirm the effectiveness of the various cohesion policy measures?