Cohesion Fund

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Alfonso ANDRIA (ALDE, IT) on the cohesion fund with 580 votes in favour, 45 against and 47 abstentions. (Please see the summary of 25/04/2005.) In addition, Parliament asked for support for the increase in the financial allocation for the Cohesion Fund from EUR 18 000 million (for the period 2000-2006) to EUR 62 990 million and for a balanced distribution between the eligible sectors of the environment and transport infrastructure coupled with some flexibility in intervention by the Fund.

Furthermore, in addition to the trans-European transport networks, projects to improve regional networks and make them safe should also be eligible under the Cohesion Fund, and Parliament therefore requested the inclusion, in the different transport sectors belonging to the area of intervention of the Cohesion Fund, of coastal shipping, sea links and cross-connections with the outermost regions and smaller islands.

Finally, Parliament requested the Commission to introduce the principle of a ‘premium system’ so that the progress achieved by the best performing Member States could be rewarded, especially in terms of better evaluation of funded projects, better cost-benefit analysis, innovation and contribution to sustainable development. Parliament felt that it would be helpful to enhance intervention by national, regional and localadministrations in implementing the Cohesion Fund through specific support measures and application of 'best practice'.