MEPs debate on the Cohesion and regional policy during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels.

Cohesion and regional policy: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Danuta Maria H&#220;BNER (EPP, PL), The key issue for post 2013 reform of cohesion policy is how to make it more effective in generating growth, jobs and competitiveness of European economy ina sustainable way.

SOUNDBITE (English), Danuta Maria H&#220;BNER (EPP, PL), It must be a policy for all citizens of Europe, not restricted to poorest regions because it is not a subsidy policy based on principle of compensation for the past and working as a supplement to national objectives.

SOUNDBITE (English), Danuta Maria H&#220;BNER (EPP, PL), It must be made an integral part of the implementation of the EU 2020 startegy and its flagship initiative.

SOUNDBITE (English), Danuta Maria H&#220;BNER (EPP, PL), We hope and believe that the European Comission shares our resolve to ensure that cohesion policy remains Union's major all inclusive tool.

SOUNDBITE (German), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, The slogan has to be focusing and flexibility. focusing so that we focus on the most important priorities from the EU 2020 strategy and flexibility so that we should have tailored made solutions that work in the regions of the Member Sates.

SOUNDBITE (German), Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, For it is absolutly essential that from the very begining of the financial programming period we have an agreement with the regions , with the member states to say exactly what goals can be set. We also need measurable objectives and we need monitoring to ensure that these objectives are implemented through projects.

SOUNDBITE (English), L&#225;szl&#243; ANDOR, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, The European Social Fund hav been the main intrument at the EU level for investment in human capital and social inclusion.

SOUNDBITE (English), L&#225;szl&#243; ANDOR, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, We should work towards improving the visibility ,effectiveness and delivery of the social fund.

SOUNDBITE (English), L&#225;szl&#243; ANDOR, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Access to the funds should be simpler, and also more user friendly. The discussions on the future of the ESF are at a decisive stage now! the message we have received from you are clear and we will make an important conttribution to the work that lies ahead.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Lambert van NISTELROOIJ (EPP, NL), It is not a blank check, the goals remain because they are effective, an idea of renationalising this European policyis undesirable, the regional development fund and the social fund have to continue to do their job.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Lambert van NISTELROOIJ (EPP, NL), A question to the Commissioners: What about a Territorial Pact in the run up to the European Summit that was a suggestion from the Committee of the Regions, I would ask you to add this to the existing provisions.

SOUNDBITE (German), Constanze KREHL (S&amp;D, DE), We don't want renationalisation , we do want cohesion policy to become fragmented into sectoral policy, we don't need the extra climate protection or transport or enery funds . Instead we need to look at how we can tackle these challenges together with a sound , robust cohesion policy.

SOUNDBITE (German), Nadja HIRSCH (ALDE, DE), The ESF is very important in trying to get young people , minorities, older people, from an immigration background; They are going to be helping them to be included , more possibilities shoudl be given to these people to get on to the employment market, that is precisely what we are trying to do. We are moving to the Europe 2020 startegy to try and get better employment rates across the range of different groups.

SOUNDBITE (German), Elisabeth SCHROEDTER (Greens/EFA, DE), We are in favour of GDP beyond and we hope that the Commission will take up that proposal. We would in this way move ut from one sided development , one dimentional development, a Commission study on region 2020 has demostrated that climate change has a horrendous effect on regional development.

Cohesion and regional policy: extracts from the debate

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