LATVIAN PRESIDENCY 2015 COHESION POLICY

• Adoption of programming documents slower than expected:• 50% of programmes can be adopted only after MFF amendments in 2015 –>

further delays in investments and promotion of growth;• more than 1400 action plans for ex-ante conditionalities;• high decommitment risks for 2007-2013 period.

• Juncker’s investment package (300 bn EUR) will be presented in December and the EU2020 review at the beginning of 2015. Ongoing discussions in • ECOFIN (EC/EIB/MS task force on actions to promote investments and define

project pipeline)• COMPET (promotion of growth, including more effective use of ESI funds)• TRANSPORT (streamline ESIF investments towards core networks)• European Council (EC/EIB position paper on energy and climate change)

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OVERALL CONTEXT

EU2020 review/investment package >>> 2016 review (MFF and programming documents) >>> discussions on post 2020•More use of financial instruments at national and potentially ESIF contribution to EU wide financial instrument schemes•Refocusing of investments on the key growth priorities:

• Energy, climate• Digital agenda• SMEs?• Others?

OVERALL CONTEXT

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Outcomes of Italian presidency• Council conclusions on 6th Cohesion report covering

• Economic governance• Reinforce Cohesions policy link with EU 2020, Strategic reforms

and Country specific recommendations.• Reinforce Cohesions policy objective of economic, social and

territorial cohesion• Encourage use of financial instruments• Encourage simplification• Encourage more regular debate within GAC

• Cohesion policy contribution to EU 2020 review• Exchange of views – how ESIF can contribute more effectively

towards EU2020 goals -> synthesis report in December European Council on EU2020 review

OVERALL CONTEXT

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SETTING UP THE AGENDA FOR 1ST PART OF 2015

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ECA's special reports to be published during1st half of 2015 – INDICATIVE:

•Airports (if not already at the end of 2014)• Youth unemployment• E-commerce• Inland waterways• Danube river basin

Delegated Acts

Next slide

POLICY DISCUSSION

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EVENTS DURING LATVIAN PRESIDENCY (2015)*:

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Date Event

4 – 6 February 2nd EU Cohesion Policy Conference «Challenges for the New Cohesion Policy in 2014 – 2020: An Academic and Policy Debate»

February (tbc) Urban Forum

10 – 11 March Joint UDG, NTCCP meeting

31 March – 1 April Meeting of Directors General responsible for Cohesion Policy, Territorial and Urban Matters

5 – 8 May URBACT conference

1 – 4 June ESPON week

3 – 5 June (tbc.) Meeting of the ESF Committee

June (tbc.) INTERREG MC

9 – 10 June Informal Meeting of Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy (if no GAC), Territorial and Urban Matters

10 – 12 June Informal Structural Actions Working Party Meeting

15 – 16 June (tbc.) Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

* The list of events is still indicative. Negotiations on the organizational matters for several events are still ongoing, therefore Latvian Presidency reserves the right to change the list.

2ND EU COHESION POLICY CONFERENCE CHALLENGES FOR THE NEW COHESION POLICY IN 2014 – 2020: AN

ACADEMIC AND POLICY DEBATE

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The conference will take place in Riga, Latvia on February 4 th - 6th, 2015.Papers are invited on the following questions and themes which will form the basis for workshop sessions, panel debates and discussion groups at the Conference:1.      Economic geography and Cohesion policy: how are the economic and social challenges for European Structural & Investment Funds changing?2.      Institutions and governance: what can Cohesion policy do to strengthen public administration and effective management of the Funds?3.      Performance and results: how can Cohesion policy resources be used most effectively and efficiently?4.      Instruments: what kind of Cohesion policy interventions makes a difference?5.      EU economic governance and Cohesion policy: what are the implications of governance reforms for Cohesion policy?Submission of papers is welcomed by October 31st 2014.

Results of the conference may feed into other Presidency events for further discussion. http://www.regionalstudies.org/conferences/conference/challenges-for-the-new-cohesion-policy-in-2014-2020-an-academic-and-policy

Comments on the policy discussions during Latvian Presidency-Priorities-Suggestions-Other important trends

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EXCHANGE OF VIEWS

Latvian Presidency Team Contacts:

RigaEdgars Šadris - contentEdgars.Sadris@fm.gov.lv

Laura Romanovska - logisticsLaura.Romanovska@fm.gov.lv

Brussels

Ieva Valtmane Ieva.Valtmane@mfa.gov.lv+32 (0) 474 902 676; +32 (0) 32 22 383 101Kristīne KapustaKristine.Kapusta@mfa.gov.lv+32 (0) 22 383 108; +32 (0) 473 539 759

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

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