Development problems and Objective 1 structural assistance in Italy. Report

In adopting the report by Mr Guido PODESTA (UPE, I) on structural measures in Italy Parliament noted that for the period 1994-1999 only 21.9% of the appropriations assigned to Objective 1 of the regional policy were committed and 10.5% of the payments made and that the situation was equally worrying for Objectives 2 (26.2% and 7.6%) and 5b (8.6% and 2.1%). Bearing in mind that the social and economic situation of the Italian regions (Objective 1 in particular) continues to require the use of Community structural instruments it called for a simplification of the legislative framework which is too complex and the improvement of the Italian administrative structures which are not appropriate. It considered it essential to improve horizontal coordination between the various sectors of national and regional administrations as well as vertical coordination between governments, regions, local authorities and the social partners. It hoped that the resources which have not been used will be re-directed towards programmes in progress and in the event of persistent under-utilization called on the Italian government to select alternative public agencies to take responsibility for the implementation of programmes. It also called for an improvement in the quality of planning and considered it vital to involve beforehand the private and public operators concerned. Partnership must be strengthened to integrate economic and social operators in the process of implementing Community measures from the planning stage onwards. Lastly, it drew attention once again to the specific problems of the areas covered by Objective 5b (hill and mountain areas) with the associated damage to the environment in general. �