06/03/2003
EU's Structural Funds consultation document launched
The government today launched a joint Department of Trade & Industry, HM Treasury and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister consultation document on the UK position on the Structural Funds post 2006.
Speaking after the launch, NIO Finance Minister Ian Pearson said: “This is an important debate for everyone in the UK. EU enlargement has significantly changed the context in which Structural Funds operate and the need for reform is essential.
“Northern Ireland has benefited significantly from Structural Funds in the past. Europe is now debating their future and I would encourage all organisations and individuals with an interest to come forward, by 4 July, with their views on the proposed UK position.”
The consultation document ‘A Modern Regional Policy for the UK’ was produced jointly by DTI, HMT and ODPM. The Northern Ireland administration also had the opportunity to comment on the proposals.
The EU's Structural Funds consist of the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance. Together, these funds are intended to help increase economic and social cohesion between member states, and are an instrument for reducing regional imbalances and differences in economic development.
The EU is set to give high priority to regional and structural policies for the period 2000-2006, and has allocated a total of €195 billion to be placed at the disposal of the Structural Funds, a figure that accounts for around one third of total EU budget.
During the period 2000-2006, the EU Structural Funds are divided into three Objectives and four Community Initiatives. Objectives 1 and Objective 2 are linked to geographically remote regions, while Objective 3 is intended for an entire country. The European Union Community Initiatives complement the Objectives programmes, and address social and economic issues that are common to more than one European region. For this period, the number of Community Initiatives will be limited to four, Interreg, Leader, Equal and Urban, each focusing on different themes.
The consultation document is available from DTI Publications on 020 7215 6024.
(GMcG)
Speaking after the launch, NIO Finance Minister Ian Pearson said: “This is an important debate for everyone in the UK. EU enlargement has significantly changed the context in which Structural Funds operate and the need for reform is essential.
“Northern Ireland has benefited significantly from Structural Funds in the past. Europe is now debating their future and I would encourage all organisations and individuals with an interest to come forward, by 4 July, with their views on the proposed UK position.”
The consultation document ‘A Modern Regional Policy for the UK’ was produced jointly by DTI, HMT and ODPM. The Northern Ireland administration also had the opportunity to comment on the proposals.
The EU's Structural Funds consist of the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance. Together, these funds are intended to help increase economic and social cohesion between member states, and are an instrument for reducing regional imbalances and differences in economic development.
The EU is set to give high priority to regional and structural policies for the period 2000-2006, and has allocated a total of €195 billion to be placed at the disposal of the Structural Funds, a figure that accounts for around one third of total EU budget.
During the period 2000-2006, the EU Structural Funds are divided into three Objectives and four Community Initiatives. Objectives 1 and Objective 2 are linked to geographically remote regions, while Objective 3 is intended for an entire country. The European Union Community Initiatives complement the Objectives programmes, and address social and economic issues that are common to more than one European region. For this period, the number of Community Initiatives will be limited to four, Interreg, Leader, Equal and Urban, each focusing on different themes.
The consultation document is available from DTI Publications on 020 7215 6024.
(GMcG)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.