Statement by Johannes HAHN, (Austria) Commissioner designate for Regional Policy, during his hearing at EP in Brussels.

Brussels

HAHN, Johannes (AT, EC)

Committee on Regional Development

hearing of Commissioners

2010 Commissioners' hearings (T)

hearing of Johannes HAHN 2010 (T)

Hearing of Johannes HAHN, (Austria) Commissioner designate for Regional Policy: extracts

Soundbite in German - Johannes HAHN, Commissioner designated: " No region in Europe has a welfare guarantee for the eternity. Every region must prove and defend his position. Therefore we have to build up well-sized solutions for each region. To ensure competition at the end".

Soundbite in German - Johannes HAHN, Commissioner designated: "The future cohesion policy must respect the EU 20 / 20 Strategy. Competition, knowledge, climate protection and energy politics can not be only empty keywords. We must give them a meaning".

Soundbite in German - Johannes HAHN, Commissioner designated: "But the most important thing is to make clear that only an integrated policy is able to meet the targets of the EU 20 / 20 strategy in the regions and the people living there.

Soundbite in German - Johannes HAHN, Commissioner designated: "I need people and children well educated, to have a good potential at the Universities. And I need companies how will use this sources. And I need the market and people how can buy and do economics. Therefore we need such an integrated policy which will respect each region. We need the knowledge of the regions to meet the targets.

Soundbite in German - Johannes HAHN, Commissioner designated: "Cross-border cooperation, especially with regions outside of the EU must be reinforced, in the sense of the founding targets of the EU, to be a giant peace-project. We should never forget this".

Soundbite in German - Johannes HAHN, Commissioner designated: "We need to show the people the benefit of the used money. I am totally convinced - and we will have the proof - that even the countries how are paying more to the EU, will take profit of the regional policy.

Soundbite in German - Johannes HAHN, Commissioner designated: "I say honestly, the figures of the Court of Auditors is an alarm signal. We need zero tolerance regarding fraud or let's say so fraud. I will do everything to fight against it".