Brief aan Commissaris Hahn - Main contents
Brussels, 25 October 2012
Dear Mr. Hahn,
Cross border programmes for 2014-2020 are one of the priorities for Cohesion Policy in the coming period. Please allow me as rapporteur for the Common Provisions regulation 2014-2020 to voice some concerns with regard to the Interreg V -A two seas cross border programme in which the French, English and Dutch regions participate.
It has come to my understanding that there is a proposal to merge the existing two programmes and two areas into one cross border programme for the entire area.
I believe the main reasons for this proposal are to increase impact and efficiency. In my opinion creating one program will hamper exactly these objectives, mainly because the area will become too large to manage this effectively and efficiently.
Moreover, I believe the programmes must be fully aligned with the EU 2020 strategy and focus on territorial challenges these regions are facing. The programmes should also be based on shared priorities that exist within these regions. If these programmes are combined into one programme, it will be even more difficult to find common ground.
I therefore strongly recommend setting up the programmes for next year according to principles based on results. Impact of the programmes must be analysed according to measurable targets.
Best regards,
Lambert van Nistelrooij.