Development of European territory: trans-European cooperation Community initiative, INTERREG

The European Parliament adopted the report by Mr. Francis Decourrière (EPP/ED, Fr) on the resolution recommending the approval of the new INTERREG initiative that aims to promote regional cross-border co-operation. It stresses in particular the need to concentrate on the remote regions and for closer co-operation with regions in Eastern Europe. Among the amendments that were adopted was one calling for particular attention to be paid to countries sharing a common border with the European Union. The European Parliament calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen the role and responsibility of the regions at the EU·s borders, not only in devising regional development programmes but also in exercising their powers. This also means that some technical assistance should be made available for this purpose. In addition, the EP calls on the Commission to co-ordinate better with INTERREG the various instruments used for co-operation projects in third countries, namely ISPA, MEDA, PHARE, SAPARD, TACIS and EDF. It calls on the Commission to forward its report on the measures for improving co-ordination between INTERREG and the various above-mentioned Community instruments before 01.06.2000 at the latest. The Parliament stresses that the programme takes into account of Member States· decisions to reduce CO2 emissions. It also calls on the Commission to clarify how co-operation might be enhanced between island and maritime regions. In conclusion, the European Parliament stresses that greater flexibility is needed given the different legal and political situations in the Union as regards the powers of regions and local authorities. Therefore, it calls on the Commission to support the setting up of a joint management of bodies on a transnational and cross-border basis in the interest of effective co-operation.�