Hungarian Presidency
programme and results
in the field of Cohesion Policy
Zsuzsanna Kondor, National Development Agency, Coordination MA
23 June 2011
Prague
1. Objectives and strategy of HU PRES in Cohesion Policy
2. Achievements
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Council Conclusions and GAC orientation debate
High Level Meeting on the Future of Cohesion Policy
Informal Meeting of Ministers, Presidency Conclusions
3. Conclusion
1. Objectives and strategy of HU PRES in Cohesion Policy
2. Achievements
•
•
•
Council Conclusions and GAC orientation debate
High Level Meeting on the Future of Cohesion Policy
Informal Meeting of Ministers, Presidency Conclusions
3. Conclusion
Objectives and strategy
• Cohesion Policy as a key priority of HU PRES („Stronger EU”)
• Strategy responds to challenges in the macro environment of
the EU and the state of play of Cohesion Policy…
Overall objectives
• Post-crisis EU, scarce resources  emphasise the results, the
importance and the visibility of CP
• Level of debate is crucial  strengthen the position of CP at a
high political level
Operative goals
• 5th Cohesion Report was published just before HU PRES 
• Concentrate on key issues, facilitate common interpretation,
identify potential consensus areas
• Bridge the gap between the Report and the draft legislative
package
• Overall red line: not to prejudge discussions on MFF
1. Objectives and strategy of HU PRES in Cohesion Policy
2. Achievements
•
•
•
Council Conclusions and GAC orientation debate
High Level Meeting on the Future of Cohesion Policy
Informal Meeting of Ministers, Presidency Conclusions
3. Conclusion
Events in mainstream Cohesion Policy
18 – 20 May
31 March – 1 April
High Level Meeting on
the future of Cohesion
Policy
Informal Ministerial
Meeting
23 – 24 May
COCOF Stakeholder
Dialogue
Budapest
Gödöllő
15 – 17 June
Informal SAWP
(attaché trip)
Budapest
Bátonyterenye
2011
January
February
March
April
May
4 SAWPs in
January
2 SAWPs in
February
2 SAWPs in
March
1 SAWP in
April
1 SAWP in
May
( conclusions)
( conclusions)
( key topics)
( key topics)
( key topics)
31 Jan – 1 Feb.
Cohesion Forum
Prime Minister’s speech
21 February
GAC
Council Conclusions on
the 5th Cohesion Report
Orientation debate
COCOF
9 February, 23 March,
20 April, 29 June
June
1 SAWP in
June
( summary)
Council Conclusions and orientation debate – 1
Council Conclusions - background
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Prepared as a response to the 5th Cohesion Report
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Approved by consensus at GAC on 21st February 2011
Council Conclusions - aims
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To pinpoint and summarise those issues of the debate where
there is a consensus between MSs
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Also to identify those issues where further debate is needed
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Provide a common basis for the Council work to follow
during the semester
Council Conclusions and orientation debate – 2
Council Conclusions – consensual topics
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Consensus on the importance of Cohesion Policy
Commitment to further improve the effectiveness and
efficiency of Cohesion Policy through…
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…focusing on a limited number of key priorities
– respect the needs and potentials of MSs and regions
– alignment with EU2020 to respect objectives of both frameworks
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…an integrated approach
– need for better coordination between EU Funds
– potential added value of the CSF
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…a clear and transparent delivery system
– to be built on our achievements so far
Council Conclusions and orientation debate – 3
Council Conclusions - where further debate is needed
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The role and nature of the Development and Investment
Partnership Contract
• Menu of thematic objectives to be used in thematic
concentration
• The system of conditionalities and incentives
 Related themes in the focal point of Council work
 Thematic concentration and result-orientation as topics of
main events
Orientation debate
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On the agenda of the same meeting of the GAC
Reinforced the messages of the Council Conclusions
Commitment to a strong Cohesion Policy expressed at high
political level by Ministers
Budapest High Level Meeting
Background
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Organised in Budapest on 31st March – 1st April
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150+ participants: MSs, COM, high-level experts
Aims
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To highlight the importance of Cohesion Policy as a tool for
future developments…
…and discuss key issues, facilitate common interpretation
Topics selected from areas where further debate needed (GAC)
– Thematic concentration and flexibility
– Result-orientation of Cohesion Policy
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Also: integrated approach and possible new methodologies (HU
good practice for integrated local development; value analysis)
Discussion papers issued
Conclusions of the Meeting based on work of sections
Informal Meeting of Ministers
Background
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Main HU PRES event in the field of Cohesion Policy
Information from all PRES work channelled into IMM
Organised on 19th – 20th May (1st day: territorial cohesion / 2nd:
Cohesion Policy), Royal Palace of Gödöllő
200+ participants: MSs, candidate countries, EEA/EFTA, COM,
EP, CoR, EESC, OECD, EIB
Aims
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To carry on with the debate at high political level and…
…draw conclusions based on the main messages of Ministers
Issue Notes prepared to stimulate discussion on…
– How to be more effective in achieving results?
– How to contribute more effectively to the EU2020 Strategy?
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Based on the messages of the debate, Presidency Conclusions
Presidency Conclusions, main messages – 1
Importance and nature of Cohesion Policy
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Ministers reinforced the importance of a strong Cohesion Policy
Any improvements shall be aligned with characteristics and
added values of the Policy (integrated, bottom-up)
Result-orientation of Cohesion Policy
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Strong political commitment to enhancing result-orientation
Role of programming, evaluation/indicators, streamlined delivery
system emphasised
Conditionalities strongly linked with effectiveness of Cohesion
Policy widely supported
Conditions to be in place before expenditure is made (ex-ante)
Reforms in CSR’s are important but should not be set as
conditionalities as they cannot be objectively assessed
Conditionalities should build on principles such as focus, flexibility,
ownership, transparency, accountability, proportionality and
simplification
Presidency Conclusions, main messages – 2
Cohesion Policy’s Contribution to EU2020
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For tangible results, policies should focus on limited number of
priority objectives
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Cohesion Policy contributes to a smart, sustainable and inclusive
growth even in this period
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It should continue to be a key tool in the implementation of
EU2020 by translating strategic objectives into actions on the
ground
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Will be effective if takes into account different contexts and…
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…recognises that different policy-mixes may be needed to deliver
the same objectives
Timing
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Called on COM to present legislative proposals in Summer 2011 to
allow for a comprehensive preparation
1. Objectives and strategy of HU PRES in Cohesion Policy
2. Achievements
•
•
•
Council Conclusions and GAC orientation debate
High Level Meeting on the Future of Cohesion Policy
Informal Meeting of Ministers, Presidency Conclusions
3. Conclusion
To conclude…
• HU PRES did everything at its disposal to…
• …identify bottlenecks,
• …discuss implementation aspects
• …and progress towards common interpretation of key issues
• Hopefully prepared the ground for discussions of draft
regulations…
• …contributed to the timely start of post 2013 programmes
Thank you for your attention!
Zsuzsanna Kondor, Director General
Coordination Managing Authority, National Development Agency